Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry thrower.
Weasley Family Tree is in the Author 's banknote at the bottom.


Molly Weasley did n't presume serve dinner until after the Quidditch friction match had been completed because even she did n't have the ability to sweep up Weasleys away from Quidditch. Teddy secured a win for his team by practically stealing the Snitch out James 's compass and then everyone was off their brooms and sitting at the large crowd of tables in record time. After all, Quidditch was one of the best things one could do to develop a big appetence. Albus was certainly quite athirst and in a very good modality as he had been on teddy 's team.

Albus and Rose sat next to each other in the middle of the group of tables and unfortunately Percy sat directly across from them. Early experience had taught them never to sit near Harry Hotspur due to his habit of talking politics during dinner, something that even bored rose. The two of them looked at each other as Walker Percy sat down and Albus readied himself for political conversation rather than Quidditch talk.

"I 'm telling you,"Percy said to no one in particular as he served himself some carrots,"something 's going to happen. I guarantee it. It 's been too calm down in the Ministry lately. Personally I thought affair would get a bit riled up last year when Walter Eckerton took over for MacVicar, but I suppose the two of them had similar views. More standardised than I expected anyway ..."

leave-taking it to Percy to try and find something wrong with the Ministry when all was o.k., Albus thought. He reached over Rose to grab a steak and kidney pie and served a heaping fate onto his crustal plate.

"What do you think, Harry ?"Percy turned to Albus 's dad, who happened to be sitting next to him."Any stirring in the Auror department that I may not get heard about ?"

"affair are pretty calm, Walker Percy,"Harry replied.

"Of course they are. I would 've heard if they were n't,"Sir Henry Percy decided.

Albus was n't exactly certainly what his uncle Harry Hotspur actually did at the Ministry. He knew it had something to do with the parson, but his genuine title was so long and complicated that Albus never bothered to recall it.

"well, it 's an election class,"Walker Percy pointed out."Things never stay lull during election days. Party announcements come first workweek of September and after that things will be chaotic around the Ministry. Loads of work to do. Let me state you, when I run for Minister-"

"Oh, here we go again !"Ron said loudly."When Percy runs for Minister. It 's never gon na happen, Perce. Honestly."

"I would vote for you, Hotspur,"Molly assured him."You would make a wonderful diplomatic minister. But this dinner is supposed to be about the kids. Henry James ! And Ben and Cedric ! This is your O.W.L. class ! You three are going to do so wonderfully but you must calm down a bit and study."

"gran, really,"James muttered."We 're going to be hearing this from the instructor. Uncle Percy, why do n't you tell us more about your running for minister ?"

"Well, as a affair of fact."Percy stood up."I have a rather exciting proclamation to make and I feel I must severalize my household first, before the residue of the Wizarding World."He paused, presumably for striking effect."I will be formally announcing on Monday, September second that I will be running for curate for April 's election."

There was absolute silence for about five s before a unscathed lot of things happened at once. Ron, George IV, and Charlie burst out laughing. Hermione raised her supercilium as far as they could go. Ginny, Bill, and King Arthur all shouted loudly"Seriously ? ! ”. Molly shook her straits slightly and then jumped up from her chair, running towards Percy and finally enveloping him in a large hug and kissing him squarely on the forehead.

"Oh, Percy !"she exclaimed."I 'm so proud of you ! You 've been talking about it for class and I think it 's high time you actually did it. I always wanted a son who was this successful !"

"Mum !"Ron groaned."It 's not like your other sons have n't done anything. I 'm an Auror for Merlin 's interest !"

"And you 're a fine good one, Ronald, but I ca n't ever see you being Minister. You just do n't have the ambition Percy does,"Molly said as she patted him on the shoulder.

Gold was exchanging helping hand at the former end of the table. Cedric was grinning madly, so Albus assumed he had won some sort of bet involving when Percy would run for Minister. That bet must get been in the works for years.

Albus was personally stunned. He of grade had been on the receiving end of many a Percy rant about what he 'd do when he ran for pastor, but he had always believed Percy would n't ever do it. If Albus was dependable with himself, he did n't really need Percy running. His family was famous enough without having an genuine Minister in it.

"Honestly, Mum, do you think he 's really going to win ?"Ron exclaimed."I mean, do n't get me amiss, Walker Percy, I 'll vote for you, but what about the rest of the wizarding world ?"

"Percy, do you really think you 're cut out for this ?"Harry asked skeptically.

"Why would n't I be ? I 've been involved with the Ministry for decennary !"

"I think what Harry 's trying to say is that you 're all bark and no bite,"greenback pointed out.

"I am not !"Hotspur shouted."And I would 've expected more financial backing from my own family."

"We are supporting you,"Molly assured him.

"Boys,"Arthur warned."Walker Percy 's right. If he wants to run for Minister he can without any of us making it difficult for him. You do n't stimulate to vote for him, but I wo n't bear you arguing during dinner. You 'll upset your mum."

Everyone resumed their arse but Albus doubted they stopped talking about Harry Hotspur running for minister of religion. They just continued to do so in lour voices. For once, Albus was happy he had chosen a seat near Percy.

"Do you know who else is running ?"Hermione asked.

"Not sure,"Harry Hotspur replied."Hartwell 's not running again, if that 's what you 're getting at. He 's had enough. But I 've got his bread and butter. After all, I am the Senior Undersecretary for the Drafting and Editing of Laws to the Minister."

So that 's what Walker Percy 's deed was, Albus thought. He had no musical theme if that was a spatial relation that had a lot of power or not, but apparently it was enough to take in keep for a Minister run.

"Hey, Dad,"Peach State shouted from a petty ways down the mesa."I figure this is as good a sentence as any to differentiate you that I 'm moving out tomorrow."

Harry Hotspur choked on whatever he was eating."You 're what ?"

"Moving out. You know, leaving the nest. I 've got a compressed with a supporter finisher to the pitch. It 'll be more convenient, for work."

"workplace,"Percy muttered."If Quidditch can be considered work."

"spirit, I know how these elections work. You 're going to want to make yourself look like a family man, so you 're not going to need to debate me your looney daughter who only plays Quidditch and has no job. So you 'd better start thought process of me as your daughter who 's the newest reserve keeper for the Kenmare Kestrals. It 'll sound better to the press."

Walker Percy stared at her with his mouth agape. He shook his principal slightly and resumed eating, without another Good Book to Georgia. Peach State looked smug, so Albus assumed she had won that footling argument.

Albus turned to Rose and grinned. Peach State certainly knew how to lay down Harry Hotspur 's running for Minister work to her advantage.

"Rose, have you heard from Linda yet ?"Albus asked, deciding not to join the relief of his home in political conversation.

"Not yet."blush wine shook her oral sex."Her mum might have got wanted her to wait a bit after they settled in Canada, though. Have you heard anything about what the Ministry 's doing about Lubar ?"

"If anything 's changed Dad 's being really lull about it,"Albus answered.

"It 's so incorrectly, though, that he can completely get away with what he did,"Rose muttered."It 's like I could go to French Republic, rob a bank, get back to England, and I 'd get away with it."

"You 're robbing a bank ?"James shouted.

"Of course of action not,"pink wine replied."It 's none of your business."

Albus and Rose did n't lay on the line talking about Lubar for the residuum of the evening. Sure, the rest of their folk recognize about what had happened but neither of them wanted to hash out their theories with any of them.

The remainder of the even was rather out of quality for usual Weasley family dinners. All the old years'dinners had consisted of talk of Hogwarts and the grownup exclaiming how big everyone had gotten and how everyone was growing up. Usually whomever was starting Hogwarts for the foremost time would get a fairish bit of aid, but this year Angie, who was starting, seemed to be forgotten. Instead all of the attention was focused on Walker Percy. The grownup were talking politics and Albus 's older cousin were placing stake on whether he 'd win or not.

Stanley was the first to leave as he had to go back to Roumania the conform to morning. Charlie and Katherine had finished their year in Romania and had returned to England permanently the late month. Victoire and Teddy left shortly after that since they both had to operate the next day.

Harry Hotspur was still discussing campaign tactics with Corrine, who was smiling and nodding the way Albus did when his cousin-german were smaller and he had to pretend he was interested in what they were saying, when Albus 's parents decided it was clip to leave. For the first clip in his life, he was actually glad to impart and get back to Grimmauld Place. The before schooling dinner was supposed to be about everyone who was at Hogwarts, a time to have fun all together before school started, and this time it had n't been that. It had been about Percy.
******


By some stroke of luck or miracle that had never descended upon the Potters before, James had packed his trunk the night before they left for school. Albus was trusted that some variety of apocalypse was going to make it soon because Percy running for Minister and the ceramicist arriving early for the Hogwarts express mail were two events that nobody ever thought would happen. Albus did n't interrogate it, though. Instead he just used the opportunity to his advantage.

Kaden, who had met Albus at Platform 9 ¾ prior to going through the roadblock, was not early on, so the ceramist went through without him. Rose and her sept were already there of form, so Albus said a spry goodbye to his parents before getting on the gearing to retrieve Rose. With any luck his friends would n't be there yet and he could talk to Rose alone. Usually there was goose egg he would n't talk to his friends about, but the strange feeling he had had about his family was something he only wanted to spill the beans to Rose about.

Rose was alone in a compartment about halfway down the string, reading one of her new textbooks. It was Arithmancy and Albus did n't have the slightest thought what any of the symbols in it meant. He chose the fanny following to her and waited for her to be done recitation whatever it was she was deciphering.

"I 'm witnessing a miracle, apparently,"blush wine said after setting her book down.

"St. James packed last dark,"Albus answered.

"Again, I 'm witnessing a miracle."She laughed."Your mum is lucky if James II packs earlier than five mo before you leave."

"It 's definitely odd,"Albus agreed."Listen, do you get the intuitive feeling things are changing ?"

"Changing ? Like what 's happening with Willinson and Lubar and their lot ? Yeah, I think so. It 's been over three long time, Al, and they still have n't gotten all of them in Azkaban at the Saami time. I know they 're really dazed when it comes to dueling but I think they 're smarter than anyone 's giving them credit for. thing are going to switch, Al. The creation 's getting scarier,"Rose said quietly.

Albus swallowed hard. That was in the back of his mind of course, but he had never voiced it before. Nor was it what he had set out to talk to lift about.

"I guess,"Albus replied."But I was n't really getting at that. I was thinking about our family."

"Oh,"was all rose wine said. Both full cousin sat quietly for a minute before she continued."I know what you mean. What was up with that dinner at granny and granddaddy 's ? It was all Hotspur. O.W.L.s were mentioned once and no one said anything about Angie starting Hogwarts."

"I know. It was odd. It just seems like everything 's changing. There are less of us at Hogwarts now so I guess that 's what 's going to happen-"

"There 's still a lot of us here,"Rose interrupted."And Eddie and the similitude have n't even started yet. Plus it 's not like we even talked about Teddy, Victoire, Stanley, and GA. We talked about Percy for Falco columbarius 's sake !"

"What do you reckon will bechance if he wins ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't sleep together. I do n't think things will change political-wise but I think it 's going to be really unearthly for Empire State of the South and Bradley and Cedric. Even the twins will probably be effected. I mean, having your dad be the most crucial somebody in the wizarding populace has got to be stressful."

"William Tell me about it,"Albus muttered."Can you imagine if my dad ran for Minister ?"

"Walker Percy would n't stand a chance."

"Dad 'll never run, though,"Albus pointed out."I just think that things are already dissimilar from last year. Everyone 's going to be focused on Uncle Percy 's campaign."

"matter never stay the Sami, Al,"rosebush said.

"What 's not staying the same ?"Saint John asked as he entered the compartment, followed by Kaden."I 'm hoping you 're talking about my Divination grade, Rose, because my parents nearly murdered me this past summer when they saw it."

"I think we 'll just have to mete out with your murder, John Lackland, because that scar is not getting any higher,"rose wine replied.

"Seriously, what were you talking about ?"Kaden asked as he sat down across from Rose.

"Nothing,"rose wine said quickly.

"I 'll tell you once flatness and Amanda get here,"Albus said, figuring he 'd enjoin them about Percy running for Minister.

"This is going to be the unspoiled yr ever !"Kaden said excitedly as he pulled a piece of music of parchment out of his bag."tone, it 's my Hogsmeade permission slip-up !"

"Excellent,"Saint John replied."Now I do n't possess to buy your dungbombs for you."

"Do you really have to buy dungbombs this year ?"Matt asked as he entered the compartment."They 're so nasty."

"Just for the Slytherin common room,"John the Divine assured him."Our goal is to image out how to get a few in there."

"Not going to work,"Amanda said as she entered and sat down on the other face of rosebush."You ca n't get into someone else 's common room unnoticed."

"That 's what Albus 's cloak is for,"Kaden said.

"Not if it 's going to smell like dungbomb after,"Albus said.

"Told you we should have just asked for his cloak without telling him what we were doing with it,"Gospel According to John told Kaden.

Kaden shrugged."All rightfield, everyone 's here. tell us what you and Rose were talking about before any of us got here."

"Fine."Albus took a deep breath."well, my Uncle Hotspur 's running for Minister."

"Seriously ?"bathroom replied.

"Cool !"Kaden exclaimed.

"Why ?"Matt asked.

"Is n't he the one who 's been talking about doing that for years ?"Amanda asked.

"Yes,"Albus answered."He 's seriously functional, it 's not that sang-froid, I 'm honestly not sure why, and yes he 's been talking about it for years."

"Why does n't your dad run ?"Kaden asked.

Albus and rosebush both burst out laughing."Because that 's the last affair he 'd ever require to do. He would n't want anymore power than he 's already got. Whereas Percy, all of my uncles have always said is kind of power hungry,"Albus replied.

"Do you know who he 's running against ?"Amanda asked.

"Have n't a hint,"Albus said."They 're supposed to be announcing the candidates on the second."

"What 's that got to do with everything changing ?"Kaden asked.

"It 's our family,"blush wine said quietly."Uncle Walker Percy is so focused on the election and it has n't even really started yet. Georgia 's got it all figured out. Percy 's going to make he 's completely felicitous with her Quidditch playing just to make himself seem like a family man, which he 's really not. He 's always been focused on work."

"That 's dolt,"John said."Georgia 's not going to like that."

"She 's the one who brought it up,"Rose pointed out.

"He 's right, you know,"Amanda said.

"What do you mean, he 's right ?"Albus stared at her. She had a knowing smile splayed across her face.

"You, rosebush, and Matt are n't the only ace of us who have family in politics,"Amanda said.

"But you 're a Muggle,"John replied.

"I never said the Ministry of Magic, John. I meant the Muggle Ministry. My uncle 's the prime minister."

Albus continued to stare at her. Amanda was always rather quiet and rarely talked about her syndicate. He always figured that was because she was so quiet and never guessed that it might be because her syndicate was just as influential in the Muggle world as his was in the wizarding humanity.

"Michael Smythe, that 's my uncle. He 's my mum 's chum,"Amanda elaborated."Imagine my mum 's surprise when she told him that I was a hag only to find out that he already knew about the wizarding world."

"So if Sir Henry Percy wins ...,"Albus began, his voice trailing off.

"He 'll meet my Uncle Mike,"Amanda finished."But as I was saying, Georgia does have it all figured out. If news gets out that Harry Hotspur and her rowed about her Quidditch performing, it 's going to occur off awry in the press and recede him votes. So, he 'll maintain it to himself and will be in the front row of every individual one of her matches, pretending to be a huge Kenmare Kestrals fan."

"Wow, that seems so untimely,"blush wine muttered.

"It 's political relation from the former side. The populace wants people in power to have a certain image."

"Still, it 's like lying,"rosiness went on."Just another ground I am not getting into politics."

"My first cousin Leanne went a little wild at university her low year, our number 1 year at Hogwarts, and the Ministry hushed it all up. She was out partying and the paparazzi got a picture of her and put it on the cover of some tabloid, but that was the only one. I know she partied more, but it was all hushed up."

"But it 's not like Georgia 's partying. She 's got Quidditch skills and is using them to get an honest aliveness,"rosebush pointed out.

"I 'm not saying that 's bad. I 'm just saying your uncle wo n't desire the public to hump he 's not happy with her life history selection so he 's going to make water himself look like a devoted father."

"See, everything 's changing."Albus sighed."Sometimes I just wish I had a normal family."

"It 's not all it 's cracked up to be,"lav said. Kaden nodded.

"It 's true, Albus,"lusterlessness said."Amanda 's completely mightily. It 's the whole rationality why my dad got sacked. The world did n't like that I was a werewolf, which is share of why the Ministry hushed it up. When it got out, cipher wanted him in politics anymore."

Albus nodded, but did n't say anything. He never really thought about that before, but mat was right. Amanda was, too, but he never really put two and two together before lustrelessness mentioned that. And now the same thing was happening with his family. Percy was going to pretend and while that did n't really directly effect him, how long would it take before the public did n't like the image he and the rest of his cousins were presenting ?


A/N : From now on, updates for this will pass off on the first of every calendar month and updates for Beyond the shadow will happen on the 15th. That way they 'll be spread out. Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this !

Here 's the Weasley-Potter Family Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree !

Bill-Fleur
Victoire- 20
Gabriella- 18
Ben- 5th year

Charlie-Katherine ( witch )
Stanley- 19
Heather- 7th year
Mark- 6th year
Eddie- 8

Percy-Corrine ( Muggle )
Georgia- 18
Bradley- 6th year
Cedric- 5th twelvemonth
Samantha & Lindy ( counterpart ) - 9

George- Alicia Spinnet
Fred- 7th year
Angie- 1st year

Ron-Hermione
Rose- 4th twelvemonth
Hugo- 2nd year

Ginny-Harry
James- 5th year
Albus- 4th class
Lily- 2nd year

*All in Gryffindor*


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was no mention of political sympathies or parson throughout the remainder of the train trip. Amanda did n't say anything else about her uncle being the heyday minister and how it had affected her family, but Albus was still really queer about it. How had she managed to keep that a closed book for three years ? Judging by Rose 's response, she did n't even know about it. Matt had n't even managed to keep it a mystic that he was a werewolf for a yr. Granted, Albus and the others had figured it out, but still. Maybe Amanda was the scoop secret keeper in their group.

The talking lightened considerably as they made their way to Hogwarts, soon turning to the associate subject of Quidditch and then to fantasizing about the new Defense teacher. john was hoping for someone who let them do whatever they wanted whereas Rose wanted soul who would actually instruct, and not teach like Balladanis had. Albus did n't really handle, so long as the new instructor did n't like to harm his pupil, physically or emotionally.

As the power train neared Hogsmeade station, Albus and his friends changed into their robe and prepared to go out the geartrain for the bumpy rig depend upon up to the school. The journey was now so routine that they did so with little chatter and transferred to the baby buggy with none of the flourish of the previous two years. They were quartern years now and Hogwarts was familiar territory. As fourth old age, they were well on their way to being the older bookman of the school.

The Great Hall was filled with laugh and excitement as the scholarly person found their seats at their mansion board. Albus and his friends quickly found seats together at the Gryffindor table and all five glanced up to the stave table to find the new face that would be their Defense teacher. However, instead of the one unfamiliar typeface they expected, there were two unfamiliar faces.

"Which one 's the denial instructor ?"Kaden asked.

"Have n't the tenuous,"Albus replied.

There were two new wizards sitting at the table. One was thick in conversation with Professor Kendrick and the other was glancing around at the room, his optic never resting on the Saami thing or person for more than a few seconds. The former was wearing what looked to be Ministry robes, which made Albus marvel if he was an Auror, but then he noticed one of the Aurors from last year standing off to the slope in his usual situation. The second new thaumaturge was dressed in plain blacken gown and had nearly no whisker atop his drumhead, but instead had a turgid beard and mustache, as if he was trying to compensate.

"I think the one talking to Kendrick is from the Ministry,"Albus said.

"That 's not a good sign,"John replied."What 's the Ministry doing here on the first day ?"

"It 's not necessarily a bad thing,"blush wine pointed out."Maybe they just want to make sure everything is back to normal after the competition last year."

John Lackland opened his oral fissure to reply but was silenced by the doors opening and prof Patil entering with the new beginning long time. They looked scared and tiny, far pocket-size than the previous twelvemonth 's first eld. It was weird how they seemed to get modest every year.

As with the previous year, Albus did n't pay any attending to anyone 's sorting unless their end figure was ceramist or Weasley. This year, of form, there was only Angie entering Hogwarts from Albus 's boastfully house. She ran up to the three-legged-stool with as a lot exuberance as the rest of the phratry had and jammed the hat onto her head.

It remained there for all of three seconds before shouting"Gryffindor !"Angie ran from the stool to the excited cry of the Gryffindors, her brother Fred 's whistling ringing over the remainder. Everyone at Hogwarts would receive bet money on Angie being a Gryffindor, but everyone still liked to cheer.

For once Albus wished that Kendrick would make announcements before the fiesta was served just so he could notice out why there were two new sensation at the staff table, but like usual, Kendrick waited until after the feast. Thus, the duration of the fiesta was spent speculating.

"The Ministry 's sent someone to observe,"James said confidently."aspect at the preceding three years. Every exclusive one at least one of Al and his friends have gotten kidnapped by insane wizard. Clearly the Ministry does n't think the teachers can protect us enough."

"That 's what the Aurors are for,"Rose pointed out."What 's some Ministry bloke going to do that an Auror ca n't do ? I really do n't think that blighter is another Auror."

"I bet he 's here to recruit people for the Ministry,"Fred suggested."You know, spend a year with us seventh twelvemonth and try to convince us that we should take on boring Ministry occupation. Bet Uncle Percy 's the cause for it. Probably does n't want anymore of his kin to take up Quidditch professionally."

"That 's ridiculous,"a seventh-year young lady replied."He 's probably just the new Defense teacher."

"Then who 's that other bloke ?"Matt gestured to the bald man sitting following to Slughorn.

"Slughorn 's long lost Twin Falls ?"Kaden suggested."Seriously, trim his beard and he 'll see just like Slughorn."

"Maybe Kendrick just wanted to call for person to the Welcome Feast,"Amanda pointed out."It could be as simple as that."

Albus doubted it. zippo was ever dim-witted when it came to life at Hogwarts. Finally, after what seemed like historic period, the pud disappeared and Kendrick stood to collapse his usual head start of term speech.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts. I give a warm welcome to our new first years and Bob Hope you have enjoyed your first Hogwarts feast. I 'll prompt everyone that the forest is out of bounds as well as the Whomping willow tree. Those wishing to try out for their sign of the zodiac Quidditch teams can give their public figure to their head of theatre. Now, you may possess noticed that there are two new faculty members this year even though only one attitude is vacant. The number one is simple to explain and the second is a little more complicated.

"beginning, I would like to welcome prof Elliot Young to Hogwarts. professor Young is going to be taking over the Defense teacher position."Kendrick gestured to the man with the beard, while scattered applause was received from the bookman and early professors.

"professor Ancient if you ask me,"John muttered.

"Many of you may be aware and quite a lot of you I 'm trusted are not cognizant that this is an election year for the Ministry of thaumaturgy. Tomorrow the nominee running for government minister of deception will ready their oral communication announcing their candidacy, which will get a seven month campaign period. At the beginning of April, anyone who is of age will vote and the winner shall be announced. The fact that this is an election year is a wonderful educational opportunity and I was n't about to let it pass us by. Therefore I have decided to add another grade to the curriculum. It will forgather once a hebdomad and in it you will memorize the ins and outs of our political system and its history.

"This is professor Richard Embry."Kendrick gestured to the bloke sitting next to him, who then stood up."He is from the Ministry and has agreed to learn this new course that we have designed. The course of instruction will appear on your docket that you will receive tomorrow. Now, I suggest all of you turn in early as social class begin bright and early in the morning. Prefects, please see the first year to the vernacular rooms."

Kendrick and the Ministry bloke both resumed their seats while Albus and his admirer rose. The joined the mob of scholarly person making their way out of the Great dormitory and towards the main staircase. The Hufflepuffs and Slytherins broke away from the pack to descend to their residence hall and then the Ravenclaws left for their tower. Soon, Albus and his protagonist were only amongst comrade Gryffindors.

The common room was abuzz with give-and-take about the new prof when they arrived. Most of the younger students had gone to bed, but the elderly scholar were making no move to do so. Fred was posting a sign-up sheet for Quidditch try-outs on the notice board while Scots heather watched. Albus predicted that the two of them would act Thomas More like co-captains since there was no way heather mixture was going to let Fred make all of the squad conclusion this year.

"So now we have another course of instruction,"John muttered as they sat down at a table near the flame."to a greater extent homework. more than exams."

"It 's only once a week,"Rose pointed out.

"But still, since when has anyone at Hogwarts had to take in a class about politics ?"John asked.

"Never,"Albus replied.

"Muggles take classes on politics,"Amanda pointed out."My sister took one last class and my cousins have taken them. I really do n't think it 's going to be that difficult."

"Yeah, it 's not like there 's going to be an O.W.L. for it,"rosebush said."Can you believe that we 'll be taking O.W.L.s following year ?"

John groaned."Do we really have to mouth about them already ?"

"Seriously,"Matt agreed."They 're a long way off."

"fountainhead, I think I 'm going to turn in,"Rose said as she stood up."socio-economic class start tomorrow."

"You sound like Kendrick,"Albus said, but he was feeling slightly tired himself.

Rose and Amanda left for the girls'dormitory a little while later. Albus and the former son stayed up a patch longer, but soon realized they were quite tired. They said goodnight to Kaden when they reached the tierce years'dormitory and then continued on to their own. It had been a farseeing day and Albus was ready to go to sleep, just so he would n't induce to opine about political relation or the election anymore.
******


"wellspring, we 've got one of the new teacher today,"bathroom said at breakfast the following morning."We start off the day with Herbology and then have Defense right before lunch."

"When do we have that political relation stratum ?"Matt asked as he scooped a mountain of rolled oats onto his plate.

"Tomorrow, right before dinner,"John Lackland replied."Merlin, that would 've been free time if we did n't let that bloody class."

"It could be fun, John,"Rose said.

"I have n't got it until Friday daybreak,"Kaden lamented."I think it will be fun. Muggle politics are boring but magic makes everything better."

"Bad news program is we have it with the Slytherins,"Albus said.

"Of path,"flatness muttered."Would n't have a bun in the oven anything dissimilar. And we 've probably got potions with them again, right ?"

Albus glanced at his schedule."Yes."They had had potions with the Slytherins every year now. Surely that could n't be accidental. Albus would have preferred they have no stratum with the Slytherins, especially after what had happened in defense lawyers the old yr. The last-place thing he and mat needed was more contact with Scorpius Malfoy.

"Good news show is that we 've got United States Department of Defense with the Hufflepuffs this year,"Amanda pointed out.

"Bet Kendrick did that on function after utmost year,"John said."He 'd have to be an idiot to fall in us that course of instruction with the Slytherins again.

Everyone nodded in correspondence. After the scene that had developed between Albus, john, and Scorpius Kendrick would probably never have the three of them in defence force division together again. Albus was grateful. He 'd pass the stopping point few weeks of his third yr avoiding Malfoy and was fully prepared to head off him for the remainder of his Hogwarts career. Unfortunately the Slytherin was on his dueling team.

The group hurriedly finished their breakfast and then parted ways with Kaden before heading down to the greenhouse for Herbology. Herbology was one of those predictable socio-economic class where they never had to care about anything terrible happening when it came to subjugate matter or instructor. Neville was a funfair teacher who made form interesting. Albus never had to worry about anything odd happening while in the greenhouses, unlike potions and Defense.

Everyone was slightly mistrustful of the new defense mechanism professor and thus the seats in the back of the room were in high demand. Unfortunately the Hufflepuffs had had Transfiguration of Jesus beforehand and had a much shorter pass, so they claimed all of the far tail end. Albus, Matt, and John had the tough luck of having to sit at one of the front table and all three boy were on edge.

The professor ambled into the room just as class was scheduled to start. He had a very large stack of sheepskin, which he set on the desk before beginning to prognosticate roll.

"I am professor Thomas Young,"he began after he finished with bankroll."And welcome to one-quarter year refutation Against the Dark artwork. This twelvemonth we will focus on Dark swearword, jinx, and general patch, all of which are detailed out in your textbook. You can hire your Koran out now if you have n't already done so."

Albus rummaged in his bag and set his script on the board. professor Edward Young picked up the stack of parchment and began passing it out to the students. Albus feared that it was a quiz, as he glanced down at its fill-in-the-blank question and short answer questions.

"Please read the first chapter of your books and dispatch the worksheet by the end of the class,"Young said as he walked back to his desk. He said aught more and began to read what appeared to be a novel while stroking his whiskers.

Albus glanced at John and lustrelessness, unsure of whether Young would shout out at him if he spoke in whispers to his protagonist. Actually, Young might not even hear him. He did appear to be quite old. But it was just so odd that Loretta Young assigned them reading and a worksheet on the first day of social class. Would n't a lecture shuffle more sense ? Albus could n't remember a time when a professor had n't lectured on the first day of class.

Everyone else seemed thoroughly confused as well. For the next five minutes everyone sent each early mazed feel and glances before finally cracking open their text, having realized that Young was n't going to do anything besides say his novel.

Albus began to read the first chapter, which was dreadfully boring. It was about the most mundane of darkness jinx, if a Dark hex could be considered mundane. The chapter did n't even observe inexcusable curses, which while horrible, were far more worry than the basic precept of what made a anathemize Dark.

Albus finished his worksheet a few mo before Young put down his novel."Leave your worksheets here on my desk. There is n't any homework."

"That was the strange class ever,"Albus said once they had left the room."Who gives a worksheet on the first day of class ?"

"mortal who just wants to read their Book all day,"John replied."Works for me, since he did n't fall in any homework."

"Still, it was horribly deadening,"Albus replied.

"Honestly, I 'm happy it 's drilling after dealing with Balladanis last year,"Matt said.

"Somehow I do n't think this bloke is going to be bringing any Anamateks to stratum,"Albus said.

"An Anamatek would probably cease him off,"John replied."I do n't call back he could wield one."

"Not many people could,"Albus pointed out.

When they arrived in the Great Hall, they were surprised to see Georgia hurrying Thomas Bradley and Cedric out of the room.

"What 's wrongly ?"Albus asked, extremely confused as to why Georgia was at Hogwarts.

"Dad wants us there when he makes his big announcement."She rolled her heart."We 're supposed to be there supporting him or something."

"What clip is it happening ?"Albus asked.

"One,"Sakartvelo replied."Which means we 're already going to be later than Dad wants. It 'll be in the Evening Prophet."

"There is no way Georgia 's going to be able to pretend everything is hunky-dory between her and Uncle Sir Henry Percy for the whole election,"Rose said once Empire State of the South and her buddy had left."She looked annoyed already and he has n't even announced he 's running yet."

"She probably has to overlook practice for it,"Albus replied."I just want to know who he 's running against."

"Wish we could go sentinel,"pink wine said."I bet our parents are there."

"Of course they are,"Albus agreed."Matt 's dad is probably there, too."

"He is,"matte said."Has n't got a clue as to who 's running, though."

"Guess we 'll find out tonight,"Albus said.
******


Albus did n't see Bradley or Cedric until dinner party. He had been hoping to entrance one of them in between grade, but either their schedules did n't countenance them to cross route or the announcement had gone until dinner party. The haphazardness in the Great Hall was n't any tatty than it usually was when Albus arrived, but then again he was n't quite sure how much the rest of the educatee cared about the election. However at the Gryffindor mesa, all of Albus 's cousins were clustered at one end of the table, their point leaned in to one another.

"Looks like a family group meeting or something,"Albus said.

"We 'll see you in the plebeian room after dinner, then,"Amanda said as she pulled John and Kaden towards the other end of the table, lusterlessness following.

Albus followed blush wine to the far end of the board, where everyone else had already gathered. Albus squeezed his way in between Victor Hugo and St. James while Rose found a seat next to Lily.

"Finally, you 're here,"St. James said."Bradley and Cedric wo n't say a word until everyone 's here."

"Otherwise we 'd just have to order the story over and over again,"Bradley muttered.

"fountainhead, go on,"Fred encouraged.

"It was basically a huge fantasy company with a bunch of boring speech,"Tom Bradley began."A bunch of Ministry hoi polloi and their wife or hubby and Dad was the center of attention, of course. Everyone knew he was running even though he had n't made his official annunciation yet. It did n't get occupy until Dad and the Wiccan he 's running against made their announcement-"

"Dad 's was pretty boring,"Cedric cut in."Talked about how he 's seen the Ministry through so many changes and how we need secure leadership to keep the magic community together and truehearted. Mentioned Uncle Harry and Voldemort, of class. Then everyone clapped politely and the confrontation stood up."

"The witch who 's actually running looking at like she was a mortarboard in a former life. Her nose is as pointy as a nose can get and she 's got this sleek disgraceful hair that was done up in a bun. She stood up there with a gang of people who she introduced as her campaign team,"Bradley said."But it was her speech that got the gang riled up. She kept putting muddle in everything Dad said. Dad mentioned about how the wizarding world was a strong united movement but she talked about how breach are forming and the Ministry is slipping and change is needed again. She made all these subtle acknowledgment of how the Aurors are n't as on top of matter and how if we do n't do something the magical humankind will pass apart."

"That 's ridiculous !"Fred said."The magical populace is fine."

"I thought they were just making their announcements that they were running,"pink wine said."manner of speaking do n't startle yet."

"Neither of them are going to waste an opportunity to get votes,"ling pointed out."So do you two have to piss anymore appearances ?"

"Yeah,"Thomas Bradley answered."Dad wants us all there for his first speech this weekend and he said there are going to be some debates here, so we have to sit up front with Mum at those."

"And the Prophet wants to do a huge article on our household,"Cedric added."They 're doing one on the crone, too."

"What 's her gens ?"rose asked."And what does she do in the Ministry ?"

"Patricia Laurentis,"Cedric replied."She 's some sort of adviser to the current Minister. Her title 's just as confusing and long as Dad's."

"Wyrd that both the candidate were working under the current minister of religion,"Rose said.

"Well the parties chose them."Cedric shrugged."I should get going, though. Have to go see Slughorn about what I missed earlier."

"Me too,"Thomas Bradley said as he stood up."Patil probably wo n't be pleased that I missed the first lesson."

Cedric and Bradley left, leaving the rest of the full cousin to babble about what they had just been told. Albus mostly listened while pushing his nutrient around his plate. What he had learned about Patricia Laurentis unnerved him a petty and it was mostly because component of him thought she was right. Things were n't as perfect as his Uncle Percy thought. Willinson was still on the loosen and not to mention the issue with Lubar was still dissonant.

But Albus 's dad and the other Aurors were doing all they could, were n't they ? What could Patricia Laurentis do if she got elected ? There would still be the like Aurors working at the Ministry.

"Maybe Uncle Percy is the proper person to be parson,"Scots heather said quietly."The Ministry has been working the same way since the Final Battle, has n't it ? And there have n't been anymore Voldemorts trying to gain power."

"But things ca n't always stay the same,"rose wine pointed out.

"Do you really think the Ministry needs to vary that a lot ?"heather asked.

"I do n't know,"Rose said quietly."I just do n't retrieve people are as join as Uncle Hotspur thinks."

"I 'm going to the common elbow room,"Albus said as he pushed his plate away. He was n't hungry anymore.

footfall behind him told him that Rose was following, just like he hoped she would."What were you getting at ? hoi polloi not being united ?"he asked once they were in an empty corridor.

"Not everyone agrees on everything, Albus,"Rose said."Far from it. I think Uncle Percy 's slightly delusional about that. And recall what you told me about that odd bloke who gave your dad a warning at the Quidditch World Cup ?"

"That bloke ?"Albus laughed."He was insane !"

"I 'm not denying that, but he did deliver a decimal point. In an election yr everything affair. Uncle Percy 's aligned his beliefs with the stream rector 's, which means if he 's elected he 's going to stay doing things the same way. The Ministry has n't caught Willinson for right in the three year they 've been searching and he 's slipped out of their grip numerous metre. It 's not going to be difficult for that Laurentis lady to win over people we need to change tactics, even if her tactic are n't majuscule either."

Albus said nothing for a few mo."How do you know all of this ?"

"I 've talked to Amanda more than than you have,"Rose replied."She knows how all of this works, and it 's really not that different in the Muggle world."

"So you think Laurentis is going to win ?"Albus asked.

Rose laughed."I never said that and it 's far too soon to tell. They have n't even debated yet. All I 'm saying is, Uncle Percy needs to open his oculus a bit."

Albus did n't reply. He knew that his Uncle Walker Percy 's political vista were slightly different than the balance of his family 's, but they were still quite alike. If what Rose was saying was truthful, that meant that his whole family needed to unfold their eyes and Albus was n't sure how he felt about that.


A/N : Sorry about the latterly update. There were some site consequence. See the forum for more details about that. Thanks to everyone who has been reading and reviewing !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"You know, this politics class is taking away from our gratis full stop,"can said the accompany morning at breakfast. He shook his head as he loaded his scale high school with scrambled ballock and bacon.

Albus nodded and waited for rosebush 's reply about how they needed to consume advantage of any learning chance, even if they meant less justify metre, but it did n't fare. Albus turned to appear at her, thinking she might be ill. She was n't. Instead she was piling her own plateful high school with egg and goner. Albus raised his supercilium at her.

"What ?"she demanded."Girls get hungry, too."

"Not that,"Albus replied."John just complained about having another division and you did n't moan and tell him off."

"I kind of agree with him."rosebush shrugged.

"Are you ill ?"Albus asked as he felt her forehead.

Rose pushed his hand away."Stop it, Al. I 'm not saying I wo n't love the class. I 'm just saying that we 're fourth years and O.W.L.s are closer than ever and we need all the prison term we can get to study. Not that John the Divine would use the sentence to study, take care you."

"There 's the pink wine we all know."John grinned as he stuffed his face with bacon.

"I think it 'll be a nice alteration,"Matt put in."Something different. observance they gave us chronicle of thaumaturgy on two consecutive dawning. Wonder who the cretin was who did that."

"Same one who always gives us classes with the Slytherins, I 'll bet,"whoremonger said."Double Potions this morning and I 'd bet my right arm and both my peg we 'll be with the Slytherins."

"Why not both your coat of arms and legs ?"Amanda asked.

"On the off-chance that I 'm unseasonable, I 'll require some sorting of limb to get around with,"John answered.

"I only had one class with the Slytherins last year,"Kaden said."You lot must have frightful luck. I 'd better be off. Defense this morning."

"Good luck. That prof is weird,"John said.

"Ca n't be high-risk than go yr,"Kaden replied as he got up and left.

Albus, Matt, Rose, and Amanda waited for John to cease his pile of egg before setting off for the dungeons. When they arrived the door was already unfastened and Albus saw that they were indeed wit the Slytherins again. Scorpio Malfoy was sitting at one of the front man mesa, looking rather smug. Albus averted his center and continued to the back of the classroom, where he sat down in between Matt and John the Divine.

"Wonder what he 's so well-chosen about,"Albus muttered as the residue of the bookman entered the room.

"I do n't know. But I do n't wish it,"John said.

Slughorn chose that present moment to paddle into the room so Albus and John could not continue their conversation."Welcome, welcome ! Ahh, my two pet house together again ! What luck. Well, well, welcome to twenty-five percent year Potions. This is the class that things get difficult since you 'll be sitting your O.W.L.s next class ..."

"Why is it they 're talking about O.W.L.s this year ?"Albus whispered."They 're still over a year off."

"... Since today is a double socio-economic class I thought we 'd set about brewing the first potion in your text edition and see where your acquisition lie after a summer of lounging about. Unless some of you happened to read your textual matter books over the summertime !"

Albus glanced at rose wine, who was sitting next to Amanda at one of the front tables. She seemed to sit up higher in her seat.

"Let 's get started, then. You can work in pairs of your choosing. The couplet that produces the best potion will win a bar of Honeyduke 's chocolate."

John the Evangelist set off to crop with Janie Creevey who lacked a partner while Albus and mat set up a caldron at their table.

"Remember your gloves,"Slughorn announced."If you touch the finished production your hand will immediately freeze."

"Does it appear odd to you that we have to hatch a freezing Solution with fervour ?"matt asked as he stuck his wand under the cauldron to light the flame.

"Very,"Albus agreed."So now that we 've had Slughorn for three years, have you noticed that he always starts the year with a contest ?"

"Yeah. I bet he uses the same programme every yr,"Matt added."Ca n't imagine that lots modification in footing of potion brewing."

"I bet our parents brewed the Lapplander potions,"Albus said.

"I wonder if it 's potential for this potion to explode,"flatness mused as he tossed a few pieces of chop up beetroot into the cauldron."

"Well, I suppose we 'll encounter out,"came a drawling voice from behind them. Albus turned around and saw Malfoy, carrying a few bottles he must have gotten from the supply closet."I 'm sure enough you two will manage it, if it 's possible."

"Shut it, Malfoy,"Albus replied.

Malfoy glared at him and then stalked off towards his own table. Albus was slightly surprised that he had left so quickly. It was strange.

"Wyrd of him to result so soon,"mat said, as if reading Albus 's mind.

"Yeah, if you ask me, he 's afraid of you now."

Matt let out a laugh."Yeah, right. If anything he 's finally realized you 're a better duellist than he is and he 's got to ascertain out. Speaking of which, you think you 're going to be captain of your dueling squad this twelvemonth ?"

"It 's either going to be me or Malfoy,"Albus said.

With everything else that was going on that twelvemonth, the last affair Albus needed was to be captain of his dueling team, but he did not desire Malfoy as captain either. He 'd take the redundant piece of work if just to save Malfoy from being in charge. Malfoy needed world power like a blast-ended skrewt needed a flaming thrower.

Albus and Matt did not bodge up their potion by the end of the class. In fact, their potion had the same consistency that it was supposed to and while it was slightly off-colour, it did manage to freeze the quill Slughorn stuck in it. Rose and Amanda won the chocolate, which was no surprise to anyone.

pink wine and Amanda shared their chocolate with the boys as they walked up to the Great Hall for tiffin. Albus and Matt told the girls and John about Malfoy 's freakish behavior and Rose told them that they should just be happy he 's backing down, rather than analyse his motif.

The Great Hall was buzzing with natural process when they entered it a few transactions later. Albus sat down at the Gryffindor table and no sooner had he grabbed a roster did broom cast out a copy of the seer onto his scale.

"What 's this ?"Albus asked as he lifted up the paper.

"This dayspring 's Prophet. The hooter were late delivering it. Something about a tempest in London,"Heather explained.

Albus set down his roll and opened the paper. There on the front Page was a scene of his Uncle Percy, smiling full, in rarify robe, shaking men with a very magniloquent cleaning lady, who was also smiling wide and wearing elaborate robes. Above the moving picture was the title of respect,"campaigner for Minister of magic Announced."

By this point pink wine and Matt had crowded on either face of Albus, while Amanda and John hovered behind him, all trying to read the clause. Albus 's oculus traveled down the page so he could do the same.

In forepart of the integral Ministry of trick,
Minister hopefuls Percy Ignatius Weasley and
Patricia Leigh Laurentis announced their
candidature on Sept 3rd, 2029. Both
prospect work under Minister Hartwell, yet
are running against each former for paired
parties.

Weasley, elder Undersecretary for the
Drafting and editing of Laws, has been
chosen to run for the Merlinus political party,
which is the political party that current rector
Hartwell represents. Laurentis, Senior
Advisor to Law Enforcement and Azkaban
functionary has been chosen to run for the
Paracelsus Party.

A big bunch turned out for the announcement,
which is only the low of many appearances
by both candidate. The first debate is
scheduled for September 8th, at the
Ministry of magic trick.

"So that 's who your uncle 's running play against,"Matt said.

"Guess so,"Albus replied.

"She looks a little like this maths instructor I had before I came to Hogwarts,"Amanda said."She was a scary madam. I remember once I forgot to do my homework so I spent the entire morning in the loo before soul came looking for me."

"You can tell they both hate each other,"flatness said as he gestured to the ikon."sure they 're shaking men and acting nice but clearly they both want to hex each other."

"It 's just weird that she works for Hartwell if she 's the opposite party he is,"rose wine mused."Why would Hartwell have hired her ?"

"Maybe she switched parties ?"Amanda suggested."It happens in the Muggle world."

"Maybe,"pink wine said."It just seems fishy. Her switching parties and hinting at all these radical change. It just seems like something big is going to happen."

Albus could n't facilitate but have the Lapp feeling. But all he could do was hope that his uncle won the election and Laurentis would not consume the chance to modify everything.

"Hey, Al, done with that paper ?"James called from down the table.

Albus nodded and passed the Prophet down, then settling in to eat tiffin. There was no period worrying about the election now. It was calendar month away. Plus, the political relation class was later that day and Albus was incredibly singular about it.

metamorphosis seemed to drag by since it was the same as it was every yr. Professor Patil explained about that yr 's programme and how they needed to come out thinking about O.W.L.s and the increased workload. It was all rather monotonic and all Albus wanted to do was get to politics since it was something new.

Finally transfiguration was over and Albus and his friends hurried to the fifth floor to the schoolroom where politics was held. They slowed down when they reached the elbow room as none of them wanted to be the first to enter.

"We better not have this with the Slytherins,"can muttered as they neared the doorway.

Albus peeked in the threshold."Nope, Hufflepuffs."

John let out an audible suspiration of succor and Albus pushed the door spread out as they entered. Only a few Hufflepuffs were there, seated towards the back, and the professor was nowhere in mickle. Rose immediately claimed a desk in the figurehead and Amanda chose one next to her, while Albus and the other boy headed to the group of Hufflepuffs in the back.

"Do you think there will be homework in this form ?"whoremonger asked as they sat down.

Albus raised his eyebrows."Is that a life-threatening question ?"

privy shrugged."Well it 's not like there will be an O.W.L. We probably wo n't even ingest this social class next year. So why would there be homework ?"

"Because it 's a year and this is Hogwarts,"Albus replied."I guarantee there will be homework."

The rest of the course of study filed in, filling in the can that remained in the middle of the classroom. As the bell rang, professor Embry entered, walking with an air that this socio-economic class would be all work and no swordplay.

"Good afternoon,"Professor Embry began as he shuffled a few paper on his desk."Welcome to Basic Wizarding political science. I am professor Embry and you will direct me such."

Embry stepped out from behind his desk and began to pace the length of the classroom."I understand that about of you know absolutely naught about government and assume that the Minister of Magic is born the Minister and laws just magically come into beingness. A select few of you,"his heart rested on Albus, and then on matt, and on two Hufflepuff girls,"have parents in the Ministry and may take slightly more noesis than the eternal sleep, but that would be rather generous of me to assume.

"Hogwarts has not put much interest in political training before now, something that I feel is lacking in today 's Education Department and wish to rectify this year. The curriculum will include account of how our politics came to be the way it is today as well as how the government is currently run."

The course of study let out a corporate grown at the word history. Albus glanced at Rose, who was on the edge of her seat.

"But sir,"a particularly intrepid Hufflepufff boy announced,"we 've already learned the chronicle. We take History of Magic."

Embry let out a short laugh."With professor Binns ? If I may be frank, that man died before virtually of the history happened. Along with that, he 'll put a rock to sleep."Embry chuckled. No one in the family dared to laugh."I 'm going to render you a right history of our modern politics, starting with a brief overview of what the politics was like before the reign of Voldemort and a more comprehensive overview of what it is like today.

"I will also devote a class period each to the way the government is run in France, the United States, and Australia. Now, since you were not cognizant that this class would drive home, you have not acquired al-Qur'an. Therefore I have purchased them for you. You are to treat them as library books and devolve them to me in similar condition at the end of the year. Lest your parents be billed."

Embry flicked his sceptre and stacks of volume flew out of a nearby cupboard. They landed softly in front of the students. Albus glanced down and read the rubric. government and Government in Modern Wizarding Britain by Beatrice Holden. It looked about as dull as the cupboard it had come out of.

"Very good. Now, get out lambskin and quills. I 'm not going to let the rest of this class period go to waste matter,"Embry said as he tapped his wand on the circuit board. bank note immediately appeared on it.

Embry lectured for the balance of the class about how the first political science was formed in Great Britain. It was incredibly dry. The only understanding Albus stayed awake was because he had to contain line. Literally had to. Embry caught a John not taking government note and threatened him with detainment this Sabbatum if he did n't start.

"That 's all for today,"Embry said after the bell rang."adjacent class we 'll fast forward in clip and get word about the government pre-Voldemort. Read the beginning chapter for prep and get along up with three thoughtful questions to beat to the rest of the class. Dismissed."

"How does Hogwarts pull the most freaky instructor ?"Albus asked once they were out of earshot of the classroom.

"Kendrick must put it on the list of job requirements,"John replied."must be out of your freaking intellect to use up this position."

"I think he 's professional,"rose piped in."It seems like we 'll really get wind stuff."

"Why pain in the ass ?"St. John the Apostle asked."It 's not like we 're old enough to feature a say in the government anyway."

"But we will one day,"Amanda pointed out."And to be dependable, I 'd be a bit afraid if everyone our age felt like you do, Saint John the Apostle. Muggles get political science classes in school. It makes sentiency that we should, too."

"She 's got a point, mate,"Matt said."Who has the baron in your country matters. If you elect the wrong people, things can go horribly wrong. Not everyone gets to elect their leaders, either. We do n't even get to do that fully. The positions that Albus 's dad has and my dad suffer ? In the United commonwealth, those are elected stance. Not here."

"And before Voldemort, we did n't even elect our Minister,"rosebush said.

"How do you lot even screw this hooey ?"whoremonger asked as they drew closer to the Gryffindor common room.

"Parents."Amanda shrugged."It 's amazing what you pick up when your parents think you 're too Whitney Moore Young Jr. to give care to eavesdrop."

"Wait."whoremaster stopped in the centre of the corridor and looked at his acquaintance."waiting. Now that we know about your uncle, you lot all have category involved with the Ministry, wether it 's the magical ministry or the Muggle ministry."

Albus grinned sheepishly."Guess so."

John groaned."This is mad. Why could n't I have picked convention Quaker ?"

"Normal is highly overrated,"matt said as they reached the Fat Lady.

******


The rest of the week went by fairly quickly, in Albus 's ruling. Everyone, educatee and teachers, fell back into their common Hogwarts modus operandi and by the time Friday arrived Albus had a stack of homework as high as his bed and was more than gear up for a few days off. But when he saw the notice panel in the common room when he got back from appeal on Friday afternoon, he knew that would not be entirely possible.

Fred had scheduled Quidditch practice on Saturday at eight in the morn.

"Eight !"Albus exclaimed."In the morning ? Is he thoroughly insane ? It 's the start week back ! Even GA was n't mad enough to do that."

"strong-armer luck, married person,"John said as he tossed his bag onto a nearby sofa."Ashcan School in the morning. Let 's see, I 'll be snuggled up in bed. What about you, matt ? What will you be doing at eight in the aurora ? Flying through the rain ? Trudging through the mud to the sales talk ?"

"Course not."Matt grinned."I 'll be cozy in bed, having an amazing dream where I 'm playing for the shank. In pure shape of course."

"The Cannons are the only team you 'd ever have promise of playing for,"trick replied.

Albus threw himself down on the sofa. Fred was insane. That was all there was to it. Well, he could hold for a prof billet once he graduated. He 'd meet the insanity requirement.

"Speak of the Beelzebub,"John said as Fred entered the common room.

"You !"Albus shouted as he got up."Why in the name of everything Merlin owns did you schedule pattern at eight in the morning on a Saturday ? Not everyone 's a seventh year taking four classes. We ca n't all sleep in every bloody day."

Fred shrugged."Had to. Pitch is booked solid all weekend except for Sabbatum dayspring and even. All the other houses are having try-outs. We ca n't even carry our Keeper try-outs until succeeding weekend because of it."

"Why not the even then ?"

"Bradley 's got to make an appearance at Uncle Percy 's speech."Fred rolled his eye.

"Then why have practice session at all ? We do n't involve to discipline anyone new until we get a new keeper,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's been a whole summer. We 're out of practice. We 've got to start training early on. I want that Quidditch trophy."

"We 've been playing Quidditch all summer,"Albus said flatly.

"Look, Al, I 'm not changing it. barely deal with it,"Fred said as he continued up to his dormitory.

Albus spent the rest of the evening fuming about practice session and cursing Fred under his breath, until Rose suggested they all go to the elbow room after dinner. Albus reluctantly agreed, knowing that if they went to the room he 'd be up half the night and would only get a few time of day'eternal rest.

In the end he was glad Rose suggested it. They spent the evening playing Gobstones and Exploding crack and listening to John and Kaden think up new means to prank the Slytherins, and more specifically, Scorpius Malfoy. Eventually, Albus decided to call it a Nox and headed back to his dormitory, leaving his supporter to go forward discussing whether it would be advantageously to turn Malfoy 's hair red or purple.

Only a few short hours later Albus found himself sneaking quietly out of his dorm room at an hour of day that was only meant to be seen on weekdays. He grabbed his broom and went to come across his mate in the vulgar room.

No one looked happy. James was nodding off on the couch while Ryan attempted to tie his brake shoe without opening his eyes. heather mixture 's hair was sticking up at odd angles while she tried to tame it into a ponytail. Bradley was sulking in an armchair. Even Fred looked a fiddling worse for vesture. But they trudged through the castle, only seeing Peeves loosening a few door hinges and Filch 's cat skulking behind a suit of armor.

The weather condition was at least dainty and the four hour they spent on the pitching went by relatively fast. Albus and his teammate landed on the ground as the Slytherin Quidditch team made their way onto the pitch. Albus glared at them as they passed.

Without going up to his dormitory to interchange, Albus headed into the Great Hall hoping there would be something good for luncheon. Having skipped breakfast, he was starving. He spotted his friends halfway down the Gryffindor table and after stowing his ling underneath the bench, he sat down and grabbed the good dish.

"You could at to the lowest degree shower first, Al,"blush wine said."You stink."

"Too starved,"Albus replied.

"Albus !"Lily called from down the table. She got up and headed over to him."Mum and Dad sent this earlier."She handed him a spell of lambskin."They want us to go to the debate tonight since it 's the 1st one and all. We 're expected to Floo from Kendrick 's study to the Ministry at five."

Albus groaned as he read the alphabetic character."That gives me about four hours to unstrain and possibly do homework."

"Are you going to have to go to every debate ?"Rose asked.

"promise not,"Albus replied in between collation."You do n't have to go ?"

"Have n't gotten anything about it. Dad probably does n't even want to go himself so he wo n't make us. And Mum probably expects that it would just conduct away from my studies."

"This says I have to wear down lop robes,"Albus muttered.

"At least you can order us if anything good happens,"Matt said.

"And what about you ? Your dad 's senior high in the Ministry. Why are n't you going ?"Albus asked, desperate to find person else who could keep him company.

"He already told me over the summertime that I 'll only have to go to ones at Hogwarts. And then whatever party the campaigner will throw for the officials. Does n't think an election should have much effect on my life story,"lustrelessness explained.

"Lucky,"Albus replied.

Albus made the about of the residue of the day. He and his friend took preparation down to the lake, but it sat ignored under a beech tree tree while they sat by the edge of the lake and dangled their feet in. Kaden swore the Giant Squid tried to eat his foot, but nobody believed him. rosiness and Amanda took a walk by themselves along the edge of the forest, insisting that none of the boys follow.

Kaden pulled a Fanged Frisbee out of his bag once the girls left and the male child began tossing it around. This was great fun until the Frisbee decided it had had sufficiency of being thrown and took out a incision of Kaden 's hair, leaving his drumhead bleeding rather profusely and Albus, can, and Matt having to look sharp him to the hospital wing. By the clip Kaden 's chief had been bandaged up and all four had received a lecture on the dangers of Fanged Frisbees ( Madam Pomfrey somehow figured out that that was the cause ) it was metre for Albus to lead back to Gryffindor tug to get ready for the public debate.


A/N : Sorry for the deficiency of a May update. schooling was insane. But I only have a year left ! I 'm now dwelling for the summer and am having issues getting my cyberspace to get together with HPFF. matter take a long time to load and I can not reply to retrospect. I will still say every brushup, but reception will subscribe a piece since I have to be at the subroutine library to reply to them.

Since I death updated I 've had some offspring with the great unwashed plagiarizing my stories. I really hate that I have to separate you rib this, but it is against the rules to ingest anyone 's stories from here and put them on former site. It 's also against the formula to take plot of land, characters, etc without permission. I do not devote my license for anyone to fill my plots or characters. I 'm really well-chosen that you guys like my stories, but please do n't take them.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


If there was one thing Albus hated it was getting dressed up for Ministry issue. He had always been slightly uncomfortable with his dad 's renown and Ministry attitude because he hated the attending. James River had always been the case who would relish in the attention, enjoying when all the Ministry functionary proclaimed how big he was getting and how he was sure to be the whiz of Gryffindor 's Quidditch team. Lily was rather indifferent towards it. She never really expressed emotion about the aid one way or another. She enjoyed getting dressed up but once they were at whatever party, she would go off and do her own thing. Albus just did not like it. He did not like getting his brass pinched by old ladies and did not like random people telling him how tall he was getting. As he got one-time, he did not like it any more.

But it was a fact of life history and so Albus found himself once again forcing himself into a set of emerald green wearing apparel robes. They were wrinkled, but he did n't have intercourse any variety of ironing charm so he let them be. It 's not like anyone would be focused on him anyway. This was his Uncle Percy 's Nox and it seemed like this entire year was going to be his Uncle Percy 's yr.

Albus tamed his hair with a bit of water and then met James River, Lily, Bradley, and Cedric in the green way. James looked suave and perfectly well-heeled in his drab dress gown, whereas Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric looked like they were being strength fed rotten fish in their matching grey robes. Lily was wearing a purple wearing apparel and as usual, did n't seem to have an belief about going to the public debate.

"So you three got roped into this, too ?"Bradley asked as they made their way to Kendrick 's study.

"Yeah, Mum sent us a letter this sunrise,"Lily explained."I guess Dad thinks we should be at the first one."

"At least you do n't give birth to go to all of them,"Thomas Bradley muttered.

The balance of the stumble to Kendrick 's study was tacit. When they arrived they saw that Kendrick was in dress robe as well and was apparently escorting them to the Ministry and would stay on to watch the debate. He handed them each a bit of Floo pulverisation and let them go first.

Albus stepped into the Floo after King James and soon found himself in the Ministry of Magic 's entrance hall. The place was far quieter than it was the hold up time he had been there, the following year, when he went with Matt to tell his dad about Lubar being at Hogwarts.

Kendrick led them to the lifts and down to the lawcourt room."The only place big enough to accommodate everyone witnessing the debate. Even still, it 's an invitation only event. It 's being broadcasted over the wireless, however. Kendrick stopped in figurehead of court elbow room ten and opened the door. The elbow room was about one-half full moon. Albus spotted his mother 's smart red hair in the first row of seating. He followed Kendrick down the stairs.

Albus 's aunt Corrine was sitting with his parents, along with a rather glowering looking Georgia and the Gemini the Twins, who were both reading books. Kendrick began to speak quietly to Harry as Albus and the others filed into the row. James II, Bradley, and Cedric immediately began to speak of Quidditch and Albus listened in. They were speculating on who would designate up for Keeper try-outs the keep an eye on weekend. Georgia immediately perked up and began giving the boys advice on who they should keep an eye out for.

It soon became obvious that the provide side of the front row of the seating was reserved for Percy 's house. They were joined by all of Albus 's aunts and uncles, as well as Victoire, shimmy, and Stanley. In fact the only if one of his older full cousin that was not there was Gabriella. Albus wanted to ask Victoire where she was but she was too far away.

Albus assumed that the first row on the powerful side was reserved for Laurentis 's menage, although Albus did n't recognize a single one of the people in that row. He turned around and focused on the people filing in. He recognized a few of them including Matt 's parents and a few other Ministry officials he 'd met before. Matt 's parents sat down behind Albus 's parents, following to Professor Kendrick. Albus briefly wished that Matt had been forced to go, but quickly erased that intellection because what sort of friend would wish their best friend had to attend a political disputation ?

The chatter in the way immediately subsided when Minister Hartwell entered followed by a few of his closest consultant. Behind them were Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis, both wearing Ministry robes. Hartwell and his advisers sat along a table at the front of the room while Percy and Laurentis stood behind podiums, also at the front of the room. The Minister spoke with his advisers briefly while Percy and Laurentis smiled and waved at the crowd. Then one of the consultant rose from his seat.

He was a portly man, whose gown stretched very tightly across his middle. He was completely bald and had no whiskers, but a very blanket moustache. Aiming his wand at his own throat, he muttered a tour and then set his wand down.

"Welcome,"his voice boomed over the audience,"to the low argumentation of the 2020 election for pastor of Magic. Our two candidate, Harry Hotspur St. Ignatius Weasley and Patricia Leigh Laurentis, join us tonight for an introductory debate on a variety of issues. My gens is Wendell York and I am the head of the Department of Magical Transportation and will wait on as moderator for tonight 's debate. I will pose the theme and each candidate will get five minutes to respond, then two second for a rebuttal.

"The number 1 topic is how our humans is concealed from Muggles. Do you think the current Ministry is doing an adequate job ? What changes would you evoke ? Mr. Weasley, you may go first."

Albus yawned. Why could n't it be an shake topic like catching night wizards ? Or at least something relevant to his life, like the lack of in effect Defense professors at Hogwarts. Now that would be a argument he 'd be interested in. Albus turned towards Percy and realized he had n't even been paying attending to a lot of his uncle 's response.

"... current Laws do a satisfactory job of concealing our humans from Muggles. conjuration sightings by Muggles are low in numeral and when they do come Obliviators do an splendid job of altering the memory board of our Muggle neighbor ..."Hotspur droned on.

Albus turned to James who rolled his oculus. Could they have come up with a more boring topic ? Albus seriously doubted it. Except perhaps cauldron hind end heaviness, which was a write up Percy had done when he first started at the Ministry, according to Harry. Albus glanced at his dad. He was paying attending, but in that certain way of paying tending that meant he was really bored but was trying to talk through one's hat it. Even Corrine looked slightly bored.

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Wendell York said."Ms. Laurentis, your turn."

"I disagree with Mr. Weasley,"Laurentis began."One sighting of our kind by Muggles is too many. Each fourth dimension a Muggle snap sight of an act of thaumaturgy puts our intact world at endangerment, and not only U.K. 's wizarding cosmos. We have a responsibility to the world that we stay fresh our illusion under wrapping. According to finish class 's statistics we were in the top five commonwealth in terminus of numbers of sightings. That 's not serious ..."

Laurentis went on and on about various Laws that could be enacted to ensure that Muggles did not see number of deception until Wendell York cut her off. He then let Walker Percy induce his two arcminute rebutter, during which he went on about how it was an impossible destination to try, to reach no magic sightings by Muggles. Laurentis 's rebutter was basically just a re-statement of her previous disputation.

Albus tuned much of the public debate out, focusing instead on what he wanted to do during the current schooltime yr. He was a fourth twelvemonth, which meant he was no longer one of the younger minor. He 'd been on the Quidditch team for two years and now he was hoping he 'd be able to take some say in how exercise went and how catch were played. Then there was the Dueling golf club. Each of the eight team had a police captain and the captains were quarter years. Professors, mostly Neville, picked the captains. Albus knew it would be down to either him or Scorpius and as much as he did not really want the responsibleness of being captain, he did not want Scorpius to receive big businessman over him. He would use that to his advantage.

The argumentation wore on and Albus continued to not pay attention until he heard the words 'education'and 'Hogwarts'. That got his attention. It was Laurentis 's turn to go first.

"I think educational reform is the best way to go. Hogwarts has been ran the same way for generations and while no one can traverse that master Kendrick runs a wonderful school, we also can not snub that modification could be made to do good the students. The globe is a constantly changing place and education need to keep up in lodge for our educatee to be better train.

"The form selection for exercise. It is my reason that a new class has been added this year about political science, which I think is greatly beneficial to scholarly person. But other than that the Lapp course of instruction are offered now as have been offered for decades. New classes need to be phased in while old ones that either no farsighted interest students need to be phased out. Obviously I am not talking about nucleus category such as Potions and Charms, but elective course.

"Teachers also need to be kept up to date with recent findings in their fields. They should not be teaching the same information I or my adversary learned at Hogwarts. They should be teaching the Modern valid data available-"

"Thank you, Ms. Laurentis, but your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

"My antagonist brings up an interesting point, but even she admits that Headmaster Kendrick is running an first-class school. I believe that some administration regulation is necessity, lesson being last year 's incident with Professor Balladanis, but we as government officials do not ingest the grooming nor experience needed to properly run a school day. I, as well as my resister, would be kidding ourselves if we believed we could do a safe job running Hogwarts than Professor Kendrick.

"Just as professors most probable believe it best to forget law making and the running of the res publica to those such as my opposite and I, I believe it serious to impart the running of Hogwarts to Professor Kendrick and the former prof. In conclusion, I believe that Hogwarts is ticket as is and if the master thought he needed government assistance bringing about variety in program he would ask."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"the moderator said."Ms. Laurentis, your rebuttal."

"I in no way stated that I am trying to run Hogwarts. Nor do I think I would do a better job of it than prof Kendrick. I am merely stating that the bookman would benefit from more government intervention. If the Ministry had been more convoluted with teacher selection, for example, we could have possibly avoided hiring Professor Balladanis last year."

"Mr. Weasley."

"My opposer is speculating. There is no way for anyone to say whether government officials would have found Professor Balladanis to be an inappropriate professor during his audience. In fact, I would slant towards the opposite, considering that neither I or my opponent have ever hired a professor before."

Both Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis were red in the look. Albus was surprised a Ministry sponsored public debate could get so wake. He craned his head and turned around in orderliness to see what Kendrick 's reaction to all this was, but found that Kendrick was hiding his emotions far better than either Walker Percy or Laurentis. It also seemed that everyone in the room was paying rapt attention, including James I and Lily. The lone two people who were n't were Samantha and Lindy.

There was one final exam query about law devising that Albus did n't really sympathise, nor did he care to realise. He was far more occupy in the Hogwarts interrogative sentence. Walker Percy 's argument was far respectable, in his thought. Hogwarts was fine the way it was. Why did Laurentis want to change everything ? What sort of variety was she talking about, anyway ? He supposed the subject would be explored more specifically at the education themed argument which was scheduled to guide place at Hogwarts the following month. But one view that Albus could not get out of his head was that if Laurentis won, what would happen to Hogwarts ?
******


"The only change I want to see at Hogwarts is less homework and fewer examination,"John said as he walked with Albus and the remainder of their friends to the Great Hall.

A workweek had passed since the showtime debate and students were still talking about the possible changes to Hogwarts. A very large wide-cut page banquet had appeared in the Daily Prophet the day after the disputation, proclaiming that Laurentis wished to change Hogwarts. This had both students and professors up in arms and things were only beginning to lull down. The professors had been on edge the old workweek, snapping at bookman for nothing and assigning extra homework. This resulted in the students being very dysphoric. Albus did not quite sympathise why everyone was letting it impact them so much. It 's not like Laurentis had won. Yet.

It was early on Saturday morning and Albus and his friends were heading to the Great Hall for the first Jr 's Dueling Club meeting of the year. Albus 's nerves were on end. It was at this first meeting that the maitre d' would be announced.

"If Scorpius gets captain I 'm going to murder something,"St. John muttered as they entered the Great Hall.

"You 're not even on his team,"rosiness said.

"I am and I could n't stick out it if he won,"Amanda pointed out.

"If he 's captain, tournament are going to be amazing,"St. John countered."Plus, I 'm Al 's friend."

The Great residence hall was in mass pandemonium, as it always was during the first gear meeting of the class. Two squad were congregated at each table and much to Albus 's disdain, his team was holding court at the Slytherin table. He weaved his way through the confused second years who had yet to be assigned a team and stood next to his team. Scorpio was seated across the board from him.

"well, thrower, ready to be under my captainship ?"Scorpio greeted him.

"I could say the same to you,"Albus replied."What makes you so surely you 'll get it ?"

"I 'm the better duelist, obviously."Scorpio smirked.

"silence, calm down everyone !"Neville shouted.

Albus turned away from Scorpius and swallowed the desire to make a come back and paid care to Neville instead. prof Patil stood side by side to him. Albus supposed the new Defense professor had not had a desire to help with the Dueling cabaret. Somehow, Albus was not surprised.

"Thank you,"Neville said."First I 'd wish to announce that Professor Patil has graciously agreed to help me patronise this yr 's Dueling Club. As a reminder, all teams must feature a professor present during pattern and it is up to the squad sea captain to coordinate drill meter and locate a professor to sit in. The professor does not ingest to be myself or Professor Patil. However, this class we are allowing seventh year Dueling Club penis to supervise as well. So as an choice, you may ask a seventh year to supervise.

"low society of business is this twelvemonth 's bit old age. I 've already assigned you to squad and shall now read off the list."

Albus let his mind wander while Neville read off the inclination. The entirely second eld he knew were his Sister, and she was assigned to matte 's team, as well as Hugo, who was assigned to John and Kaden 's squad. A crop of shy looking 2d yr had congregated at his own team 's dapple and he smiled at them, encouraging them to take seats next to the older students. There were five of them. Two boys and three miss. Three Ravenclaws, a Slytherin, and a Hufflepuff. No Gryffindors, but Albus could be with that.

"And now, what I am sure all the fourth years have been waiting for, maitre d'hotel announcements ! Let me remind you that I, as well as the other professors who have been involved with this club have been watching you over the past two years and have chosen not only exceptional dueler, but exceptional leader. Without further adieu.

"The chieftain of Team One is Marina Jordan-Bell."

Cheers erupted for Marina, mostly from the Hufflepuff tabular array, where her squad was seated. Albus grinned. Marina was very nice and would make an excellent captain.

"The sea captain of team Two is Harvey Tucker."

John and Kaden 's team. William Harvey was a Ravenclaw and all Albus knew about him was that he knew every result in every 1 class.

"The skipper of Team Three is Peter Smith."

A Hufflepuff. His Father of the Church had attended school day with Albus 's parents and they had n't liked him much.

"The captain of Team Little Joe is Lydia Thompson."

A rather snobby Slytherin whom was often seen with Scorpius. Scorpius grinned and clapped loudly for her.

"The captain of team pentad is Jace Johnson."

rose wine 's team. Jace was a Hufflepuff who did n't seem to ever be not well-chosen. It was kind of bizarre, actually.

"The police chief of Team Six is Raisha Sweeney."

A Hufflepuff that Albus did n't know well. He swallowed hard. Team Seven was next and that was his team.

"The police chief of squad Seven is Albus Potter."

St. John 's whistling could be heard above everyone 's cheering. Albus grinned. His entire team ( save for Scorpio and his friends ) were clapping hard. He 'd done it. He 'd made chieftain ! All the uncertainties he 'd had over the summertime about it had disappeared. He, Albus Potter, was the new maitre d'hotel of squad Seven.

"The captain of squad Eight is Dayton Coons."

Matt 's team. Dayton was another Ravenclaw who had multiple encyclopaedia in his brain.

"That 's all for today. headwaiter, please figure out a time for your starting time recitation, which should take plaza during the next two week. Once you have a escort, please see me to get a classroom. Then observe a prof or seventh year to supervise.

Scorpius did not say one word as Albus talked with the quietus of his squad and figured out a practice time that did not interfere with four unlike Quidditch team, Gobstones Club, and Chess gild. Eventually he settled on the stick with Thursday eve. Neville assigned them to an abandon classroom on the sixth floor. Albus figured he 'd ask a 7th class to supervise rather than a professor. It was less intimidating for his world-class practice.

Albus 's friend joined him at the threshold to the Great Hall. Scorpius brushed past them, but did not say a word. He looked like he was ready to hit soul. Albus thought he looked far too angry over a lost captaincy. It was just the Jnr 's Dueling club anyway.

"Did Malfoy say anything to you ?"St. John asked on their way back to Gryffindor.

"Not a word of honor,"Albus replied.

"Do n't conceive about him,"rose wine said."What 's the point ? You made captain and that 's all that matters."

Albus grinned."Most of the maitre d'hotel are pretty decent, too. I mean Lydia 's variety of irritating, but the rest period are n't bad."

"It 's going to be a just year for dueling, that 's for sure,"lusterlessness agreed.

The six friend discussed dueling all the way back to the common way. When they entered they saw a foretoken that said 'Congratulations Albus and Marina !'Unopened butterbeers cluttered one of the tables and all of Albus 's full cousin were cracking them open. Marina was surrounded by her booster and Albus was accosted by his cousins as soon as he entered. Someone thrust a butterbeer into his deal and patted him on the book binding. He smiled as he looked out at the vulgar elbow room, at the party that his cousins had thrown together for himself and Marina. Matt was not only good about the fact that it would be a dependable yr for dueling. It was going to be a ripe yr in universal.


A/N : So I bet you 're all disordered about the public figure change ! Well, I 've been doing some thought process and a plot of ground alteration was needed. The chapters that are already posted wo n't be affected. The change only affects what I have n't written yet. But the old rubric was n't going to work with the new plot, so I had to deepen it. I like the new one better anyway. And do n't interest, Percy will still run for rector. Actually, the new plot focuses more on that.

To answer in approach, because I know this will amount up, I wo n't state what the old game was going to be. I 'd rather masses not compare the old secret plan with the one that will actually be written.

If any of you are on the assembly, you 'll know about the disaster we had hold out workweek. Liza Potter on the archives ( and lizzacc on the forums ) has died. She was a fan of my Albus serial publication and told me once that they were the first chronicle she ever read on HPFF. She will be missed. I am dedicating this story to you, Liza.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The next day Albus found himself on the Quidditch pitch staring at all of the new Gryffindor steward hopefuls. There were a lot of them. Try-outs were scheduled to set out in XV minutes, yet the pitch had been packed since before lunch. Albus speculated that some aspirer, including Victor Hugo, had not even taken a shift for lunch. poor Victor Hugo need n't have bothered skipping his meal since even an supererogatory half hour of practice would not accept helped him.

Students from second through seventh year were hoping for a dapple on the team, including Janie Creevey. Albus recognized most of them, but there were a few sr. scholar whom he did not. Along with the Gryffindors, there were representatives from other squad, surely there to see out Gryffindor 's new Keeper.

Albus stood on the pitch shot a few beat from the crew, with his team. Fred was holding a clipboard and Heather was standing next to him, gazing out at the students hoping for a spot. William James, Bradley, and Ryan were laughing about something.

"Quiet, please, everyone !"Fred shouted. The Gryffindors immediately settled down. A few flew back down to the ground and dismounted, some not very gracefully."Thank you. We only need a Keeper this year. And if you ca n't Keep, you 're not going to get on the team. If you 're hoping to get in as steward and then demand another 's berth when they graduate, you might as well not do in your time."

Wow, Albus thought to himself, Fred was channeling both Georgia and Samantha Meyers. Usually he would joke around at try-outs, but Albus supposed since he was now in charge, affair had changed.

A few of the new pupil walked slowly off the pitch and into the stands, looking clearly disappointed.

"All right then, I 'm going to own you fly around the pitch to measure your basic flying skills. If you 're not up to par on that, you 'll be eliminated. Then we 'll move on to guarding the destination posts."

Albus stood back while Fred had the hopeful fly circuit around the tar. Quite a few could not even carry off to fly straight or do turns properly. About a fourth of them were eliminated during the first base ten bit. Half of the remaining Gryffindors were eliminated within the low gear ten second of goal keeping, including Hugo. He hung his school principal as he walked to the stands, broom trailing behind him. Albus felt bad for him.

The rest of the of the students took longer to eliminate. After about an time of day the total had been narrowed down to ten and they all seemed to be similar in skill.

"I think the only fair way to do this is to eliminate anyone who misses a save. last one standing, er, flying, gets the spot,"Fred announced.

It took another half hour to cease the try-outs. To Albus 's surprise, the success was Janie Creevey. Albus had had no estimation that she even played Quidditch until he saw her at the try-outs. She grinned as she dismounted from her broom and accepted the extolment from the rest of the team.

"Nice to have another miss,"heather mixture said."I thought I 'd be the only one after Georgia left."

"I thought your cousin Hugo would get picked,"Ryan replied."Who knew he was the but Weasley who ca n't flirt Quidditch ?"

"Have you seen Rose on a heather ?"Albus asked.

Janie grinned."I 've played since I was little. So happy to take won the blot. When 's low practice ?"

"Right now,"Fred said."We 've got the pitch all afternoon."

Albus sighed. Fred was turning into GA. But Albus enjoyed Quidditch and it was a bright and sunny day, so it would n't be bad.

Practice lasted a few time of day and Albus was thoroughly exhausted by the time it was over. He immediately went back to his dormitory to assume a shower and then set off to locate his friends. dinner party would be served shortly and Albus was starved.

Albus 's friends were in the vulture 's Den, just where he had predicted when he did n't see them in the Gryffindor common room when he had traipsed through after practice. John and Kaden were playing chess and Kaden was trouncing lavatory, like usual. Rose and Amanda were sitting on the couch discussing an essay that Cedonia had assigned the previous week. Matt was not there since the good moon had been the former night.

"Albus !"John exclaimed after Al had shut the door."So, who 's the new Gryffindor Keeper ?"

"You 're never gon na consider it, but Janie Creevey,"Albus answered as he collapsed onto a nearby chair."Apparently she has been playing Quidditch for ages and was just waiting for the Keeper position to open."

"Seriously ?"John asked."She never mentioned it all these years that we 've been brewing potions together."

"She 's probably too busy making for sure you do n't blow anything up,"Rose replied.

"Hey, I 'm secure than Al and Matt are,"John muttered.

"oral presentation of matte, have you lot been to see him today ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah, but he was asleep so lady Pomfrey did n't let us rest. Figured we 'd go after supper,"John answered.

"Let 's get going now,"Albus said, standing up."Should be starting soon."

Everyone nodded in agreement and they set off towards the Great Charles Francis Hall. The corridors were filled with bookman who had spent the day open air and Albus felt very substance walking alongside his friends, despite how every single one of his muscles ached from pattern.

"Shhhh, look !"John the Evangelist seethed as he grabbed the back of Albus 's shirt and pulled him into a doorway. Kaden, rosebush, and Amanda followed, all looking curiously at John.

"What is it ?"Rose asked.

"Shush !"St. John whispered."It 's Scorpius and Willinson 's full cousin. What was his name again ?"

"Felix,"Kaden muttered."Slimy git."

"Who 's that with them ?"Amanda asked.

Albus craned his head around the door frame. Scorpio and Felix were standing next to a few suits of armour, brain leaned in towards each other. There was a girl about a head little than Scorpius with them. She and Felix had the Lapp semblance hair, except hers was long and curly.

"She 's a first year. I remember seeing her a the sort but I do n't remember her name,"Rose answered.

"I have half a thinker to save her from the two of them,"King John muttered."She 'd be near off not getting mixed up with the likes of them."

"She 's a Slytherin,"Amanda pointed out."She could be just like them for all we know."

Scorpio began walking down the corridor and Felix and the girl followed. Albus and his champion watched them until they turned a corner, disappearing out of sight.

"Weird,"Albus said as they began walking to dinner once more."I 've never seen Malfoy befriending world-class year, except for Willinson when he came here."

"You 're paranoid,"pink wine said."They were just talking and they 're in the Same star sign. Maybe she had a query or something."

"He 's Malfoy,"Albus responded."He 's up to something."

"Oh Merlin."Rose let out an exasperated sigh."Two calendar week into the term and you 're already picking a row with him."

"Remember last year ?"Albus asked."I 'm only trying to quash something like that again."

"Fine. But I 'm not getting involved,"rosiness muttered.

Albus walked in quiet the rest of the way to the Great Granville Stanley Hall. rose may have been right. Albus may have just been being paranoiac, but deep down he had a intuitive feeling that Malfoy and Willinson were n't just talking about homework.
******


matte returned from the hospital wing two days later and the month wore on in its usual way. The professor were assigning more and more prep and it took longer and longer to complete.

Once October arrived excitement began to brew when the first off Hogsmeade weekend was announced. The visit was scheduled for the Sabbatum before Allhallows Eve and Kaden in item was very excited. He never did manage to make it to Hogsmeade under the invisibleness Cloak the old year.

Albus 's low dueling practice had gone particularly well. Albus had been pleasantly surprised. Even Scorpio had cooperated and done what Albus had told him to do, although that may have been solely because Professor Cedonia had been face during the practice. His team was shaping up well and he had high gear Leslie Townes Hope for them winning many tournaments. Quidditch had been going equally as well. Janie had fit seamlessly into their team.

Albus wished he could say things were going equally well for the election. Ever since the outset debate various magazines and radio shows had been latching onto Percy 's assertion about Department of Education and his lack of willingness to change, as they had put it.

"Dad 's really stressed,"Thomas Bradley said one night at dinner. The Weasleys and Potters were all eating together in gild to discuss the election."Does n't indite us as a great deal and when he does it 's always about the election."

"Not to mention the five page spread that Wizards clip is doing about our family,"Cedric muttered as he gnawed on a turkey leg."That 's sure to fire the fire."

"When is that ?"Albus asked.

"Tomorrow,"Bradley answered."Only good part is we got permission to miss all of our classes."

"Is it really going to be five pages ?"James asked."What are they going to put in it ?"

"Dad 's life news report,"Cedric answered."Plus a few paragraphs on each of us and Mum about our lives. Just a glad article about how we all love each other and Dad 's a family man. That 's what his campaign coach wants to portray him as seeing that Laurentis does n't cause any kids."

"And Uncle Percy has a unanimous lot,"James pointed out.

"Hey, you lot better sentinel out. When Dad told us about this he mentioned that they 're going to do another on the stallion Weasley-Potter clan,"Cedric announced.

"Did he say when ?"Saint James asked.

"Around Christmas, I think. Adds to the happy family atmosphere,"Cedric explained.

"Then they ought to consultation Uncle St. George when he 's had a bit too lots eggnog."James II laughed.

"When 's the next debate, anyway ?"Albus asked."moldiness be coming up soon."

"This weekend, actually,"Omar Bradley replied."At the Ministry again. I think this one 's focusing on law creation and enforcement or something equally as boring."

"Do we have to go to it ?"Lily asked.

"I do n't remember so,"James answered."Dad said we just had to go to the ones at Hogwarts from now on."

"speech production of elections, what does everyone think of that government class ?"Albus asked.

"Professor 's very intense,"King James said in between bites."But it 's not nearly as awesome as the early family. There 's no O.W.L. in it so it 's my current favorite."

"Yeah and I think we 're at an advantage,"Cedric said."With our parents being in the Ministry and material. A few of my friends have absolutely no idea about anything to do with the Ministry so they 're having a intemperate time."

Professor Embry seemed to be teaching the class in chronological ordering and thus was currently lecturing on how the Ministry was organized prior to the surrender of Voldemort. Albus thought it was a small boring but he had a intuitive feeling it would get more worry once Embry started on the fall of Voldemort.

"And that 's why the class is requisite,"pink wine said."Think about it. No social class like this has been taught before, so where did the current Ministry functionary learn the history of the Ministry ? Where did they teach about politics ? They learned it as they went, but did n't acknowledge much when they started. That 's a little shuddery. people should live how their country is run."

Albus thought about what Rose had said as he chewed on his roll. She had a safe spot. Where had they learned it ? Had his Uncle Percy really known nothing about the Ministry when he started ? No, he could n't have got. Sir Henry Percy 's own male parent had been in the Ministry as well. Still, it was uncanny to think about.

Albus mostly listened during the respite of dinner. He always felt slightly unsettled when the election was discussed and he was n't sure why. Nor could he figure out whether he wanted Harry Hotspur to win or not. Either way, living would be drastically unlike after Election Day, and Albus liked things the way they were.
******


"Now she wants to change Azkaban ?"Albus asked at breakfast a few days later. The law enforcement public debate had taken station the night before and the total front Thomas Nelson Page of the Prophet was devoted to it."Is n't changing Hogwarts enough ?"

Ministry hopefuls Percy Weasley and
Patricia Laurentis debated law creation
and enforcement utmost night at the Ministry
of Magic. Like the previous worldwide debate,
sparks flew in this one, with each candidate
speaking passionately about the topic.

'I 've worked in law founding for old age ,'
Weasley began with. 'Since the defeat
of Voldemort, I think we can all agree that
affair are running smoothly. I intend to
guarantee that matter keep going the way they
are, with enforcement of laws that benefit
the integral wizarding community .'

Laurentis took a more radical stance, in
her answer to Weasley 's opinions.

'Sure, the law of nature we have now are sufficient.
I 'm not denying that. But I think we need
to take a good concentrated look at how they are
enforced, or rather, not enforced. The
statistics are pass. Far more criminals
are being acquitted and even more are
being released from Azkaban. In my work
at the prison house, I see many criminals being
released whom I do not cogitate should be.
Not to cite the break-outs. There are
far too many. Law enforcement needs to exchange .'

Without a doubt, things are only going to
heat up. The candidates seem to stimulate
completely different opinions on everything
from training to laws. The adjacent argumentation,
which will be on education, will take spot
at Hogwarts on Sat, November the 9th at
two in the afternoon.

"Does n't she run Azkaban ?"Matt asked, taking the paper from Albus."So why has n't she changed it already ?"

"Probably does n't take the magnate,"Rose answered."The Minister has to subscribe off on most things, unless all example and officials disagree with him or her."

"So clearly there 's mass who do n't agree with her,"matte replied.

"Think they 'll ever agree with each early ?"Albus asked.

"uncertainty it,"Amanda said."It 's like this in the Muggle elections, too. They 're usually complete opposites. What I do n't read is how she 's working under Hartwell when he and your uncle concord on everything."

"Me either,"Rose agreed."Guess we 're watching the next debate."

"Yeah, it 'll be here,"flatness said."Embry will probably make us do an essay on it, too."

"It wo n't be bad,"rosebush said."That will be the debate that will directly impact us. The election 's in April which means we 're going to suffer over three years of Hogwarts under whichever candidate is elected. If it 's Laurentis, all those changes are going to affect us."

Bradley sat down succeeding to Albus and threw a written matter of magician powder magazine onto the table."Article 's out."

"That was fast,"Albus said.

"They wanted it to be out powerful around the debate,"Tom Bradley muttered."You really ought to understand it. It 's awful."

"Rita Skeeter did n't do it, did she ?"Albus asked.

Omar Nelson Bradley shook his head."This lady 's almost worse. Trust me."

pink wine, Amanda, John, Matt, and Kaden crowded around Albus as he flipped through the magazine. The article was in the midsection, with the two pageboy being a replete coloring material photograph of Uncle Walker Percy, aunt Corrine, and their tike. Sir Henry Percy and Corrine were sitting on their aliveness way couch, with Sakartvelo in between them. All three were smiling and waving. Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric were leaning on either slope of the couch and the Gemini were sitting in front of it. Albus flipped the page and saw a very extended article, interspersed with respective pictures of his category and corner about each of those five cousins. The article finished up on the fall out page.

Upon entering the dwelling of Minister of magic
prospect Percy Weasley 's Southampton home
I am surprised to see that it does not count
like the dwelling house of a Ministry candidate. It is
not filled with deal and galvanic pile of newspaper and
Weasley 's political campaign manager is nowhere to be
found. Instead, the floor is cluttered with
toys belonging to the new Weasley kid,
nine-year-old twins, Samantha and Lindy. A
plate of warm cookie sits upon the coffee
table and Weasley 's married woman, Corrine, bustles
into the way carrying a tray of tea. Percy
enters as well, followed by the five Weasley
children.

'I prefer to keep the campaign at the Ministry ,'
Percy explains after I ask where his movement
cloth are. 'The campaign is work. It is my
job. The house is for my family .'

"Really ?"rosebush raised her eyebrow."She should 've seen his study. That 's where all his effort stuff is."

The article went on to discuss Percy and his fathering science. Albus grew more and more disgust as it went on. Percy had and always would be a workaholic, but the article was painting him to be father of the year. No wonder Bradley had not been pleased when giving Albus the article.

'I could not be more gallant of Peach State ,'
Percy said, public speaking of his firstborn daughter,
who currently plays as Reserve steward for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I 've been to a
turn of her equal and it is clear
that she could have a farseeing career in
Quidditch .'

"What a load of dung !"Albus exclaimed."Uncle Hotspur has never once agreed with Georgia 's Quidditch career."

"Did he actually say that or was that newsperson just saying he did ?"Matt asked.

"Oh he said it,"Tom Bradley, who had taken a butt a short ways down the table, answered."Not that he really thinks it."

Albus had had enough of the primary clause. His eyes glanced across the page and rested upon the small box that discussed Georgia.

Peach State Weasley, the eldest girl
of Sir Henry Percy and Corrine, is 18 and
currently plays second-stringer Keeper for
the Kenmare Kestrals .'I love
Quidditch ,'Peach State said when the
theme was brought up. 'It 's freeing
and I look forward to playing for
Kenmare as a full steward one day .'
Empire State of the South 's ambition is to wreak for England.

Next to Sakartvelo 's box there was one for Bradley.

Omar Bradley Weasley, the firstborn son of
Percy and Corrine, is currently in
his 6th year at Hogwarts. He plays
Beater on Gryffindor 's Quidditch team.
'I like Quiditch, but I do n't require to
play professionally like Peach State. I
want to work for Gringotts some day .'

Then there was one for Cedric.

Cedric Weasley is in his fifth twelvemonth
at Hogwarts and is the prankster of
the home. 'Every Weasley family
has to have someone who will take on the
joke. It 's like a rule or something.
I come up with the safe estimation when I 'm
with my cousin James [ Potter ] .'Upon
asking Cedric what he wants to do after
Hogwarts, he replied, 'Have n't got a clue.
I think I 'll concentrate on getting through
my O.W.L.s first .'

The final box was for both Samantha and Lindy.

Samantha and Linda ( lindy hop ) Weasley are
nine yr old and attend a local
elementary school for Muggles. Both twins
ca n't wait to enroll Hogwarts in two
years .'I 'm going to be in Gryffindor,
just like my babe and brothers ,'says
Samantha .'I do n't care what house I 'm
in, just as long as I can play Quidditch.
well, okay, I do n't want to be in Slytherin .'

"That,"Albus began as he set down the magazine,"was the big article I 've ever read in my life."

"I shudder to opine what the one about our stallion fellowship will be like,"rosiness muttered.

"Nah,"John Lackland said."That one will be better because they wo n't give to induce as lots up. Albus 's dad saved the whole wizarding Earth. They 'll just play that up."

"It was n't only him,"Albus pointed out."Are hoi polloi really going to believe all this ?"

Amanda nodded."Yeah, they will. They know nothing about your uncle 's kinsperson. sure as shooting, they know all about your dad, but really, how a great deal do they cognise about Harry Hotspur ? Not much. They 're going to require to believe it and why should n't they ? They have no idea Sir Henry Percy does n't approve of Georgia 's Quidditch career. It 's the same as in the Muggle world.

"It would be nice if the great unwashed voted on nominee who shared their same views, but it honestly comes down to who presents the best safari. masses are n't going to want person in exponent who has issues with his own family."

"That 's stupid,"Kaden replied."gladiolus my family 's not involved with politics."

"My phratry is your family,"Albus pointed out.

"But I 'm not related to your Uncle Percy."

"You still predict him Uncle Percy,"Albus said.

"Because he basically is. He 's just not my blood uncle."

"Well, I can honestly say my kinfolk 's not in politics and I 'm very glad about that,"bathroom said.

Albus could not imagine life-time without having family involved with the Ministry, but suddenly he felt slightly jealous of John. What would it birth been like to have parents who were n't famous ?


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this story ! You cat are all nonplus. Just as another monitor, I ca n't answer to brush up while I am home for the summer, but I read every single one. If you have some sort of question that you need answered about my narrative, please use my Ask the source varlet at the assembly or send me a PM there.

I have another chapter ready to go so that should be up shortly after I return from vacation next week. Hope everyone enjoys Deathly Hallows 2 this week !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The following hebdomad brought a storm so long and so acute that Herbology and caution of Magical Creatures had to be canceled for the indorsement half of the week. It was thoroughly impossible to take the air outside without being doubled over by the breaking wind and the younger student could not walk without being blown away. The rain was also so weighed down that one would become soaked within two minutes. The scholarly person secretly rejoiced, for the extra free periods were helpful to all.

It remained so rainy and windy that even Quidditch practice had to be canceled on Saturday. Not that Fred would have canceled it himself, but Kendrick announced a ban on going out of doorway until the tempest let up. Fred lamented this fact all of Fri evening and contemplated holding a strategy session in the vulgar elbow room instead, but Heather convinced him just to let it go.

Albus decided to take the opportunity to pass the day at the library, something that trick and Kaden reluctantly agreed with. lustrelessness and Amanda joined them as well, for they had mountain of homework as well. Rose had mentioned something about tutoring a younger scholarly person and run off shortly after breakfast.

The depository library was absolutely packed with scholarly person, most likely due to the weather and not a burning desire of the Hogwarts population to study, and it took a salutary five mo for Albus and his friends to locate an void table. It was a lot loud than common and Madam Pince was glaring at each table of students in turning.

Albus set his mess of volume down and got to puzzle out on a Potions essay that was due the espouse week. He had n't started it, of course, but he had a few Clarence Shepard Day Jr. to do it. He thought he was ahead of the biz anyway since he 'd normally be at Quidditch drill and not even thinking about preparation.

John and Kaden, as usual, were unable to get started on their homework right away and were scolded by Madam Pince twice before finally opening their books. Amanda immediately set to knead on the same essay Albus was working on. Matt cracked open up his Charms text but stared at the Sami page for five minutes before Albus noticed that his eyes had glazed over. The October full moon was the keep abreast nighttime, so Albus was not surprised.

"This is dead boring,"John the Divine muttered after they 'd been studying for an time of day."political science back before Voldemort is pointless. It 's completely different now, so why do we need to bother reading it ?"

"So we do n't make the same mistakes,"Amanda said without looking up from her parchment."simpleton, really."

"You 're channeling Rose now,"lavatory stated.

"person has to when she 's not here,"Amanda said.

"Would you rather do my Divination predictions ?"Kaden asked.

"Yeah !"John exclaimed."Let 's see, how about you get blown away by the wind while you 're ignoring Kendrick 's rule against going outside ?"

"perfective tense. That 'd be something I 'd do,"Kaden said as he scrawled it down."And then I can amount down with a nasty cold after being outside in the rain so long."

Albus rolled his eyes. The two of them had been insane to hire Divination in the firstly place, but at least they seemed to enjoy making up their postiche predictions. Albus grinned to himself as John and Kaden snorted into their parchment, laughing over some ridiculous prediction.

An minute later Albus had finished his essay, as had Amanda. The two of them had moved on to Transfiguration reading. can and Kaden had given up on homework and were planning an dilate prank that involved a chicken, birdseed, and the Slytherin usual room. Matt had been dozing on his spell Book. Albus prodded him awake.

"How 's appeal ?"Albus asked, grinning.

"Oh, er ..."Matt glanced at his book and quickly wiped it with the arm of his robes."Great, really. Think I 'll head to the Den, actually."

Albus nodded."I 'll be there in a bit. Want to get some of this Reading done."

John and Kaden rose to unite lusterlessness. They 'd been yelled at two more times and figured they 'd do better to be after in the Den.

"Wait,"John said when he was only a few feet from the table."Is that rose ?"He pointed to a foreland of shaggy-coated red hair at a nearby table."Who 's she with ? Is that-"He walked across the room and hid behind a book shelf to get a closer look.

Albus craned his head. Rose was sitting with a diminished missy. John the Evangelist returned a few seconds later.

"I thought so. It 's that daughter we saw with Malfoy and Willinson a few calendar week ago."

"delay, that Slytherin first year ?"Albus asked. He 'd nearly forgotten about her, finally deciding that Scorpius probably was n't up to anything that involved her.

"Yeah, that 's her all right,"bathroom said."What 's Rose doing with her ?"

"She 's tutoring somebody. Must be her,"Albus pointed out.

"Weird. Tutoring a Slytherin,"King John replied.

"What 's it matter ?"lusterlessness snapped."No point in standing here watching them. I 'm going to the Den."He hiked his bag up on his shoulder and headed for the door, not waiting for John and Kaden.

"What 's with him ?"John Lackland asked.

"You know what 's tomorrow. And honestly, what 's it matter if she 's tutoring that miss ?"Albus asked.

"You thought it meant something that she was with Scorpius but this you do n't worry about ?"

"It 's the Hogwarts tutoring program. I do n't remember you get to control who you tutor,"Albus explained.

"I suppose."whoremonger sighed."Well, see you in a bit."

"See you,"Albus said as Saint John the Apostle and Kaden left.

Albus and Amanda studied for another hour before joining their supporter in the marauder 's Den. St. John and Kaden were having a serious give-and-take on how they were going to incur a chicken and matte was sound asleep on the couch. Albus and Amanda settled down with a deck of cards of Exploding Snap and played round after round while listening to privy and Kaden.

"I still say it 'll be easier to have an older student transfigure something into a chicken,"Kaden said a full XX hour later."I 'll bet one of Albus 's cousin-german will do it."

"Yeah, but I want this to be our japery. We could just go take one of the wimp from Hagrid 's Gallus gallus coop,"John replied.

"More hazard of getting caught. No one 's going to suspect if one of Al 's cousins is practicing their transfiguration. But sneaking a chicken into the castle ? They 're fairly loud with their squawking."

"Where 's the fun in no chance of getting caught ?"john asked.

"There will be plenty of chance of getting caught when we 're getting into the Slytherin common way. Merlin only knows how we 're going to bring off that."

The door opened and Rose walked in."Why are you lot trying to get into the Slytherin commons room ?"

"You do n't want to know,"Amanda said."One of their pranks."

Rose rolled her middle and sat down adjacent to Amanda, picking up a few notice to join in on the next round.

"How was tutoring ?"John Lackland asked, abandoning the theme of chickens.

"Fine,"pink wine answered."Same as always."

"How did you even get into tutoring ?"John replied.

"Why ? You want to tutor ?"Rose smirked.

lav laughed."Definitely not. Just curious."

"professor Longbottom contacted me over the summertime. Fourth years and above can be in the tutoring political platform. The professors match you up with younger students and I 've been tutoring a first class for a few week now."

"Yeah,"John said as he got up and walked over to where Rose was sitting."We saw you earlier. That girl you 're tutoring ? That 's the Sami lady friend that Malfoy and Willinson were talking to a few hebdomad ago."

"waiting, that one time that you and Al thought they were up to something ?"

"Yeah that meter. I was just wondering who she was."

Rose sighed."She 's Willinson 's little babe. Her name 's Elsie. She 's really decent, actually. Quiet, does n't appear much like a Slytherin to me but her whole kinsperson 's been in Slytherin."

"Oh,"St. John said."Guess that 's why she was with Willinson and Malfoy. What do you tutor her in ?"

"Bit of everything,"rosiness answered."You lot desire to go to dinner ?"

Everyone, except flatness, who just wanted to sleep, agreed and they headed down to the Great Hall. rosiness had been right. null wary about Willinson 's sister tagging after him and Scorpius. Albus 's instincts had been wrong on that occasion.
******


Never in Albus 's animation did he ever think there would be a professor who could top Professor Binns in price of boring classes. But prof Young had done the impossible. Twice a calendar week Albus and his admirer traipsed to Young 's schoolroom to bring on a 1 worksheet. Thomas Young did nada else, except hired man out worksheets. Said worksheets did not even take an intact form period to complete, resulting in students using the remaining time to catch up on other homework, something that Lester Willis Young neglected to note. The only undecomposed component about the class was that Young never assigned homework.

"You think he 'll last the year ?"lusterlessness asked as they were leaving Young 's classroom.

"Do n't see why not,"Albus answered."Unless Laurentis is elected parson and deems him unfit to teach."

"He does n't really instruct,"Rose pointed out.

"But still, he 's comfortably than Balladanis,"matte reasoned.

The sleep of Albus 's stratum were comme il faut, although most assigned too much prep for his liking, but that was not anything new. As the end of Oct drew nearer, Albus became very aroused about the first Hogsmeade visit of the year. It would be the get-go time that all of Albus 's Quaker would get to go together and possibly the last, given how busy everyone was this year.

Albus nearly did not get to go to Hogsmeade when the day finally arrived. Fred had sprung an extra Quidditch recitation on that day in order to make up for the missed praxis due to the storm. However, the full team was outraged and heather threatened to hex Fred if he did not rescind the recitation. Albus was very lighten as it was a nice day and perfective tense for Hogsmeade.

"I 've got to get a new pack of dungbombs,"Kaden said as they walked down the path from Hogwarts to Hogsmeade."Used them up ages ago."

"That the pack I sent you over the summer ?"lav asked.

"Sure is. Did n't close too long."

"I need another Skiving Snackbox,"John announced."And consignment of former stuff from Weasleys'."

"And we need to go buy bird seed if we 're going to do that harlequinade,"Kaden reminded him.

Albus and flatness exchanged looks. John and Kaden had finally agreed to ask one of Albus 's sure-enough cousins to glorify them a chicken that they would then somehow sneak into the Slytherin park way. The bird food was to sprinkle throughout the blank space in gild to get to the Slytherins even more.

"You two enjoy that,"rose wine said."And do n't issue forth complaining to us when you get a month of custody, because there 's no potential way you can pinch into the Slytherin common elbow room without getting caught."

"We 'll have Albus 's cloak, obviously,"Kaden said.

"When are you going to do it ?"Albus asked.

"Around Halloween,"John answered.

"Idiots,"pink wine muttered.

Weasleys'Wizard Wheezes was packed with bookman. Being the first Hogsmeade weekend, most students had a dangerous want of pranking products and needed to lineage up. George VI was behind the counter ringing up purchase after leverage and waved at Albus as he walked in with his friends. They quickly scattered, each aim towards the display that contained what they needed.

Albus wandered towards the Skiving Snackboxes and grabbed two, figuring that he would call for to get out of Defense at to the lowest degree once and History of magic a few fourth dimension a calendar month. trick and Kaden each had about five boxes and Matt watched with a nauseate look on his face. Since he missed at least a day or two of grade a calendar month due to his lycanthropy, he never understood why anyone would make themselves ill to do so.

"Should 've gone there last,"whoremonger said as he lugged his bags to the threesome Broomsticks.

"Yeah, must think back that for future time,"Kaden agreed."But now, off to give birth a Butterbeer !"

Albus smiled. His full cousin had had Butterbeer before when people snuck it back to the Gryffindor common room, but he 'd never had it in Hogsmeade before.

The trio broomstick was crowded, but Matt managed to grab a table in the binding. rose set off to get them all Butterbeers. They had been there for about fifteen minutes before Scorpius showed up, followed by Garth Octavius, Xavier Goyle, Felix Willinson, and Elsie Willinson. Scorpius surveyed the room and his eye rested upon Albus. Smirking, he sauntered over towards them.

"Potter,"Malfoy greeted him. He nodded to each of Albus 's friends, glaring at mat, and then turned back to Albus."I expect you lot are ready to duel future weekend."

"Course we are,"Albus answered."The team 's pot prepared. go practice on Thursday."

"I 'll be there,"Scorpius replied."And I 'll be prepare to take the squad on Saturday since the rest of our squad could n't win a affaire d'honneur against a first year."

"Shut it. Our team is alright,"Albus said coldly.

"Maybe if they had a decent maitre d' ..."Scorpius 's representative trailed off."But the professors love anyone whose last gens is Potter or Weasley, just like everyone else in the world."

"They chose based on skill,"Albus replied, staring him in the eyes."Not name. rose did n't make police captain and she 's a Weasley."

"But you 're a Potter and you get everything because your dad is the Boy Who Lived,"Scorpius fuss, ignoring Albus 's commentary."But I 've got news for you. Not everyone in the macrocosm likes that your full family runs the wizarding domain and that aught gets done without one of them signing off on it. Not everyone 's going to vote for your uncle, you know."

"Obviously,"Albus replied."And just so you know my family may be involved with the Ministry but it 's only because they want to help people. And they 're only there because people voted for them."

"No one voted for your dad,"Scorpio muttered. Then he turned to Matt."Or yours."

"masses voted for Hartwell, who appointed them,"Albus said."And your dad works in the Ministry, too."

"That 's not the point."Scorpius took a whole tone closer to Albus."The point is that your kin might not be running this country much longer. So you 'd better sentinel out."

Scorpius turned to leave and his friends followed."My crime syndicate does n't run the cosmos !"Albus shouted after him.

Albus resumed his ass after Malfoy left, not even realizing that he had rose from it in the showtime seat."He 's just so stupid !"Albus exclaimed."My family does n't run the country."

"He 's just jealous,"Amanda said."You got made police captain of our team and he hates that. Your dad 's famous and he 's overjealous of that."

"His dad 's famous too,"Albus said darkly."Just for the haywire reasons."

"And Scorpius probably wishes his dad was noted for the decent reasons,"Amanda replied.

"Do n't see why. Having a famous dad is n't always a sound thing,"Albus muttered.

"Just ignore him,"rose said."He 's just trying to get you angry with him."

"Clearly Kendrick 's threat have worn off,"lusterlessness said quietly."I liked it in Sept when he just sort of ignored us."

"It does n't mean he 's going to tell anyone,"pink wine whispered."He 's just looking for a fight."

"It does n't matter what he 's looking for. One cutting of the natural language is all it takes and my life story at Hogwarts is done."

"And so would his,"Albus reminded his ally."Being at Hogwarts, becoming a certified ace, is everything to a Malfoy. He 'd be cipher more than a Squib if he were expelled."

"I guess."Matt sighed."What do you remember he have in mind by your house not being in boot of the wizarding world much longer ?"

"Probably thinks Laurentis is going to win."Albus shrugged."But that wo n't signify much. My dad will still be in charge of the Auror department."

"No,"Rose whispered."Have n't you been paying attention in Politics ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said, staring at her."What do you have in mind ?"

"okeh, I guess Embry has n't really discussed it yet but I read ahead in the Book. New Ministers can appoint new top dog of the section if they want to. to the highest degree do n't because so many new masses makes for a bad modulation period, but it 's happened a few times. If Laurentis wins, she could supplant Uncle Harry,"Rose explained.

"Wait, seriously ?"Albus 's sass fell open.

rosiness nodded."Seriously."

"And my dad, too,"Matt said.

"Yeah, yours, too,"Rose replied.

Albus stared at his half-finished Butterbeer. Having a new Minister was one thing, but having new heads of all the section ? The Ministry would be run in a completely unlike way. nil would last out the Lapplander. nobody would replace Harry ceramist as chief of the Auror department, though, would they ?

"No."Albus shook his read/write head."No one would supersede my dad. He 's a gravid Auror."

"He 's a expectant Auror, that 's true,"Rose agreed,"but great is an opinion. Hartwell thinks he 's a dandy Auror. Uncle Percy undoubtedly thinks he 's a great Auror. But if Laurentis gets elected, none of that will matter. All that will matter is whether she think he 's a great Auror. And the question is, does she ?"

Albus swallowed."But that would stand for my dad would be out of a job."

"No, he 'd just go back to being a regular Auror,"rose wine said."Look, you do n't ask to interest about it. I 'm sure Uncle Harry knows this."

"They do n't do that in Commonwealth of Australia. All the heads have terms like the parson. When their terminus is up, the stream Minister can supercede them or keep them, but they ca n't get replaced when their condition is n't up. Unless there 's a scandal and they have a earreach. Like with my dad."

"Does n't seem fair,"Albus said.

"It works both ways. If Uncle Percy wins he 'll get to supplant who he wants and he 'll no doubt replace Laurentis,"Rose pointed out.

"I 'm surprised Hartwell has n't done that,"Gospel According to John said.

"She 's probably kept tranquilize about her view so she could keep her position while running,"Amanda replied.

"So why does n't he replace her now ?"bathroom asked.

"It would face bad. Remember, half of politics is how you look to the populace,"Amanda said."Which is why according to the Muggle Ministry, I attend a sequestered boarding school day in the United Department of State, just in character anyone asks why the diplomatic minister 's niece disappears for most of the year. Which they have n't. Yet."

Albus shook his header."It 's so confusing. I do n't know how anyone keeps cart track of it."

"Luckily we do n't have to,"Kaden said."Let 's go to Honeyduke 's. I think we could all use with some chocolate."


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! Also big thanks to darkladyofslytherin and onestop hpfan18 because this chapter is the result of discussion war with them. You two are awe-inspiring ! HPFF now loads properly on my cyberspace and I am able-bodied to react to reviews, so I 'm slowly working through them. Keep a aspect out for responses !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


"I say we do it on Halloween,"Kaden said adamantly while inspecting individual Bertie Bott 's Every feeling beans and tossing the nasty ones into a big money on the floor.

"That 's dullard,"John countered."Everyone 's going to be expecting a prank on Hallowe'en. We should do it the day before."

"Why not Saturday ?"Albus suggested, glancing up from the finis minute essay he was working on."Maybe it 'll rattle them enough that they 'll lose the match."

The first Quidditch match of the season, Gryffindor versus Slytherin, was scheduled to select place on Sabbatum, two days after Halloween.

"Again, the Prefects and professor will be expecting it,"John said.

"Why ?"Albus asked."We 've never pranked them before a match before, have we ?"

"You know, I really ca n't remember."

"Clearly a signaling you 've pranked them too much,"Rose pointed out.

Albus and the rest period of his booster were in the marauder 's Den, attempting to decide on a day to put the poulet and chicken feed in the Slytherin common elbow room. They 'd been arguing for a one-half 60 minutes and had n't agreed on anything. Albus and lustrelessness, who had been leery on whether to participate in the prank at all, had decided that they would attend to as look-outs while John Lackland and Kaden snuck into the commons room.

"I think Wednesday would be a good option. Wednesday night. We 've got to do it really latterly, though. The first years have Astronomy on Wednesday, so we have to wait until they 're back in their dorm,"Saint John the Apostle explained."dark before Halloween-"

"By the time you manage to do it after Astronomy, it 'll technically be Halloween,"Amanda pointed out.

"But not Halloween Nox,"John said."Pre-Halloween."

"shenanigan Night,"Amanda said.

"What ?"Albus asked.

Kaden threw another bean onto his hatful and started laughing."You 're right !"

"Mischief Night,"Amanda repeated."It 's a Muggle thing. It 's when Muggles pull pranks and cause mayhem. It 's traditionally the night before Allhallows Eve or the night before Guy Fawkes Day, so if you pull this on Wednesday night or early Thursday good morning, it 'll be on mischievousness Night."

Saint John grinned."Perfect. Wizards do n't do that, so no one will be expecting a thing."

"Mostly it 's Americans and Canadian who celebrate before Allhallows Eve, though,"Amanda explained.

"I 'd rather do it before Hallowe'en,"John said."We have Astronomy on Tuesdays so the nighttime before Guy Fawkes Day would be harder."

Everyone nodded in agreement, except Rose, who rolled her heart.

"Do you have everything you need ?"Matt asked.

"Not yet, but we have plans. Tonight I 'm going to lurk by the Slytherin common elbow room under the invisibleness Cloak to hear their password. Wednesday evening we 'll ask Bradley to transfigure us a few Gallus gallus. Then, Al and matte will stand guard while Kaden and I let them unloosen in the common way,"King John explained.

"How in the name of Falco columbarius are you going to keep the chickens calm while you bring them to the donjon ?"Rose asked.

"Stun them, of course,"Kaden answered."By the time they wake up, we 'll be hanker gone."
***


Midweek brought with it a immense thunderstorm which Albus saw as a rather threatening portent for Operation Slytherin Chickens as the antic had been dubbed. As the day wore on Albus found himself having incertitude about the whole matter. previous clowning had been harmless and had not broken any Major school rules, but this one broke at least ten. This could get them worse than a few detention.

John and Kaden seemed to take in no such booking. Both of them were particularly gleeful the entire day and John even returned from Divination with a smile on his face, which never happened. Matt seemed immaterial to the whole thing and acted as usual.

"You do realize we 'll be getting three hours of sleep, tops, tonight,"Matt said after dinner, while they were attempting to do homework in the Marauder 's Den."And that we have History of Magic tomorrow morning."

privy sighed."All right, maybe that was n't the in effect bit of planning."

"Clearly not,"Matt agreed.

Albus had a very difficult time getting any homework done while they were waiting for the meter to arrive. He found himself drawing awful word picture of chickens in the borders on his Transfiguration essay. No one else was having much chance either. King John and Kaden were playing chess game and Matt was taking a nap. rose wine and Amanda had holed away in the library, neither one wanting to be associated with the son that dark."We need alibis,"she had told Albus earlier."Want to be seen by as many people as potential so there 's no fortune anyone will cerebrate we were with you."

At one in the cockcrow the son left the Marauder 's Den and headed back to the common way, where Bradley would be waiting for them. They encountered no one on their way back and only two or three lingering students were in the unwashed room. All of them went to bed within xv minutes and the son were soon alone with Bradley.

Tom Bradley pulled three pillows out from under one of the couches and set them on a table."Three chickens going to be enough ?"

John nodded."I do n't consider we 'll be able to treat any more."

"You lot are either incredibly brave or incredibly stupid,"Bradley said as he pulled out his sceptre."Even James has n't gotten into the Slytherin vernacular room."

"According to blush wine, we 're incredibly stupid,"toilet said."But I think it 's brainy. Has anyone ever gotten into the Slytherin common room ?"

"My dad and Uncle Ron,"Albus said."But not to commit a prank."

bathroom, Matt, and Kaden turned to look at Albus."I 'll explain later,"Albus said.

Thomas Bradley muttered an incantation and flicked his wand at each of the pillows. All three turned into chickens. One brown one, one lily-white one, and one large black and brown rooster. The rooster opened its mouth to crow and Thomas Bradley immediately silenced all three.

"Figured a rooster would be helpful,"Omar Bradley said."Want me to stun them for you ?"

"Sure,"Albus said.

"Should net about a half hour and then you 'll suffer to re-stun them,"Tom Bradley told them."I 'm going to take off. Remember, if you get caught, I did n't get the chicken for you. Ca n't afford another detention."

"Got it,"Albus assured him. Thomas Bradley took off to the dormitories and Albus turned to his acquaintance. Gospel According to John was holding the rooster and Kaden was holding the two chicken."Back to the Den ?"

The boys spent the following two hours in the Marauder 's Den, playing Exploding snap fastener and re-Stunning the chickens every half 60 minutes. Shortly after three in the morning Albus re-stunned the poulet one Thomas More time and then threw the invisibleness Cloak over all four of them.

It was very difficult for all four boy to walk under the invisibleness Cloak.
organism fourth years, they were all a lot larger than they had been in second twelvemonth when Albus had first received the Cloak. In fact, Albus could n't even call up the close meter all four of them had gone under it at once. Albus in particular had grown quite a few column inch over the summer and was now as magniloquent as St. John the Apostle. The two of them had to walk with their knees bent to see to it their feet would n't show.

The manner of walking was uneventful. The male child did not even see Peeves or any of the ghost out for a night time amble ( or float, which would probably be the more conquer term ). Matt tripped going down the stair once and nearly dropped a chicken, but since the corridors were discharge, no one heard the sound.

Once they had reached the entrance to the Slytherin common way whoremonger and Kaden slipped out from under the Cloak and scurried over to the door. john whispered the password and it opened. Both boys slipped inside and shut the door behind them.

Albus and flatness stood against the wall a little ways down the corridor, giving them a position of the stairs as well as the corridor. Neither of them said a word while John and Kaden were pulling their prank because Filch 's cat had turned up and was pacing in figurehead of them.

The succeeding five minute of arc felt like an timeless existence and Albus was very relieved when John and Kaden exited the coarse elbow room and hurried back under the Cloak. John 's bag, which had contained the chicken feed, was now considerably lighter. Neither boy said a word to Albus and Matt as they walked back to Gryffindor Tower, for fear that someone would hear them.

They were walking down the second floor corridor when Albus heard footsteps behind him. He turned and saw Professor Young walking slowly towards them, staring at the ceiling as he went. He appeared to be in deeply view about something but then stopped and stared right where Albus and his friends were. They were n't being calm down enough.

All four boys froze and looked at each other. Kaden grabbed all three of their pinny and pulled them through the nearest door, while offspring happened to be looking the other way. Once inside, Albus noticed that they were in a loo. A girl 's loo. And the flooring was soaked.

"Merlin,"Albus muttered."We 're in Moaning Vinca minor 's bathroom."

As if on cue, there was a plash and then Albus felt the unpleasant sensation of a shade floating through him.

"I know you 're there."myrtle giggled."Harry ceramist had one of those cloaks, too. You might as well take it off."

Albus reluctantly took off the Cloak. Young would n't be going into a girl 's bathroom anyway.

"Ooo !"myrtle shrieked."Harry Potter 's son ! What brings you to my stool ?"She giggled again and batted her eyelashes.

"Er ..."Albus muttered, feeling very uncomfortable.

"We were just leaving,"whoremaster announced as he threw the Cloak over all four of them once more.

Thankfully professor Young had left by the meter they exited the loo. The remainder of the journey back to Gryffindor was as uneventful as the trek down to Slytherin.

The common room was deserted when they returned under the disapproving glare of the Fat Lady, who had not been pleased when they woke her up. John and Kaden immediately started laughing when they took the Cloak off.

"Epic !"Kaden exclaimed."There was no one in the commons way and we spread the feed and put the wimp each on their own couch and left. The Slytherins are going to have a lowbred waking up in a few hours."

"So are we,"mat said as he looked at his watch."Almost four. We 'll get three and a half hours sleep if we 're lucky."

The boys headed back to their dormitories, but Albus was not tired yet. epinephrin was still racing through his organisation. They had n't gotten caught. Yet. Would there be any way to retrace the wimp back to the four of them ? Only if someone saw them, but if anyone had seen them they would hold gotten them in trouble right hand then and there, would n't they let ? Albus pushed the thought from his headspring. He settled into bed and thought about the reaction from the Slytherins the following morning.

Bilius 's dismay clock woke Albus up at eight the future morning and he rolled over and went back to sleep. He woke up once more with twenty minutes left until history of magic trick and had to vamoose breakfast. Albus woke lustrelessness and John up and the three of them ran through the corridors in purchase order to pretend it to class on time.

They arrived with two minutes to save and the room was filled with laughter and chatter. The Hufflepuffs and Gryffindors were clearly excited about something and Albus had a feeling he knew what it was.

Albus sat down and Bilius turned around in his backside, grinning at Albus."You three missed breakfast. Too bad. The Slytherins are all distressed, fuming about volaille and muttering about getting revenge. Turns out someone snuck a cock and two chickens into their common room last night and spread chicken feed around. Apparently their common way was a heap and it took all of their Prefects to Stun the chickens and bring them to Hagrid. Wish I knew who pulled it off."

Albus attempted to feign shock and excitement."Seriously ? That 's superb. Does anyone do it who did it ?"

"Nope,"Bilius answered."All they know is that it was n't a Slytherin."

"They 'll never figure it out then. That 's three-quarters of the school to go through."

"And that 's what makes it so brilliant."

Professor Binns floated through the chalkboard and began to drone on on about some sort of hob rebellion. Albus rested his head on his hand and began to drowse off. Binns would n't even notice.

At lunch, following Transfiguration, everyone was still talking about the chickens. The Slytherins were sullen and were glaring at all the other house tables. The teacher did n't seem at all upset about the all thing, probably because the chickens had n't done that a lot scathe. Nothing that could n't be easily repaired with the flick of a wand.

"Six in the morn !"Albus overheard a Slytherin mutter as he walked past the Gryffindor board."Can you suppose ? And the morning after we 'd been on the pitch for three hours."

Albus smirked behind his forkful of stew. If the prank had messed with the Slytherins'education agenda, all the safe. Albus had finally begun to loose. It did n't look like they were going to get in trouble after all.

As Albus walked to the dungeons with John, Matt, rosebush, and Amanda he realized that his nap in history of Magic was most definitely wearing off. He was feeling the enervation and was very happy for the free period after potions. But he did n't dare skip potions because he was quite delirious to hear Malfoy public lecture about the chickens.

During this special stratum they were finishing up an engorgement solution that they had started on Tues. While Shrinking result was a rather simple potion that they had learned in their first off class, its twin was more difficult and needed simmering for forty-eight hours before the final exam ingredients could be added.

Albus retrieved all the necessary ingredients while his collaborator, Limbert, located their potion in the cupboard. Limbert, who was usually very nonchalant about everything, was scowling and glared at Albus as he joined him at their mesa.

Just as Albus was beginning to chop his Apium graveolens dulce root, Malfoy appeared in front of the tabular array. Albus looked up from his plant and looked Malfoy in the eye.

"ceramist,"Malfoy muttered."You would n't happen to fuck which idiot Gryffindor put volaille in our common room, do you ?"

Albus snorted."Chickens, Malfoy ? I 'd take heed something about that."

"Bloody birds,"Limbert muttered as he began to demolish the rat spleen they were supposed to put into their caldron."Crowing at six in the bloody morning. eating crybaby provender all over the common elbow room. Getting their plumage and other hooey everywhere ...."

"What he said,"Malfoy replied."Point is, one of your lot got into our usual elbow room and I want to fuck who."He folded his arms across his chest.

"Was n't any of 'my lot'as you say,"Albus answered, hoping that Malfoy could n't hear his heart throbbing in his chest."We ca n't get into your common elbow room. Do n't have the password. And even if we did, why would we want to ? It 's probably covered in ophidian slime."

"well it was n't a Slytherin if that 's what you 're implying. And I doubt it was a Ravenclaw or a Hufflepuff. A Ravenclaw would n't do something that stupid and a Hufflepuff would n't be able-bodied to cipher out how-"

Albus rose from his chair."That 's rude. I know peck of Hufflepuffs that are smarter than you, Malfoy. And they 're decent people, too."

"Boys, get to act upon now. I believe your potion is overflowing in it 's cauldron, Malfoy,"Slughorn said, gesturing to Matt and Malfoy 's cauldron, which was indeed overflowing. flatness was frantically waving his wand at it, trying to get it to stop.

"Oh for pigeon hawk 's saki,"Malfoy muttered and stalked off towards his own table.

Albus breathed a suspiration of relief and continued to chop his celery ancestor. Limbert retrieved another rat short temper, as the one he had been using was now hopelessly destroyed. He did n't spill to Albus for the remainder of the grade except for the periodic"pas the knife"or"turn down the flame ”.

followers potions Albus, matte, and john immediately went upstairs to the. marauder 's Den to consider a much needed nap. Rose went to Muggle Studies and Amanda went to the library. Albus fell asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow and did not wake up until John Lackland swatted him with a pillow when it was time for dinner.

The Slytherins were still complaining about the chickens during dinner party and Albus and his friends giggled every time they heard something about them. About halfway through dinner, Professor Kendrick rose from his ass. Albus turned to front at mat, who shrugged. Kendrick rarely made dinner speeches when it was n't the beginning or end of term.

"Just a few announcements,"Kendrick said once the Great G. Stanley Hall quieted down."showtime, I am for certain you are all mindful of the prank that took place in the Slytherin common room last nighttime. I, nor do any of the instructor, have any thought who is responsible, but if we do find out, be aware that those responsible for will be punished. Entering another house 's unwashed room is not tolerated and all students should take this as a warning, in causa they have been inclined to do so themselves. Slytherins, please be advised that your password has been changed. If you are not aware of it, please see a Prefect.

"bit. following weekend Hogwarts will host a few Ministry official including the pastor of Magic, the headland of Magical Law Enforcement, the Head of the Auror Department, the Head of the section for the regulation and ascendence of Magical Creatures, as well as a few of the Minister 's closest advisors. In addition, both candidates for minister will be here as well. They will arrive Fri nighttime and stay until Sunday morning. Saturday they will be debating education here in the Great Hall.

"All scholarly person will have the chance to watch over the public debate by a random drawing since we can not accommodate all of you in addition to the Ministry official and phallus of the general population that will be attending. The rest will listen via wireless in a few classrooms. All students are required to listen or find out. Sir Thomas More information about that, such as how to find out if you 've been selected to watch and what assignments you will get on the debate, will be distributed by prof Young in your politics class.

"I expect you all to comport yourselves and demonstrate to our Ministry that this is a stead of learning. You are all representing Hogwarts, whether you are students, teachers, or staff. You will not displume clowning, especially not like the one that was pulled last-place night. You will value the Ministry example. I will pass you farther information next week. In the meantime, start thinking up a few interrogative to ask our candidates in case they have time to do a doubtfulness and reply session."Kendrick resumed his seat.

"Blimey, I 've never seen Kendrick act so serious,"Saint John said quietly.

"Can you blame him ?"rose asked."Remember what Laurentis said about Hogwarts ? She all but said he was n't running the schooling properly. If she wins, chances are he 's out of a job. He 's got to put on a good display next week if he 's got any hope of staying here if she wins."

"That 's insane !"Albus shouted. A few number 1 years looked over at him and he lowered his phonation."I mean, Kendrick took over as Headmaster when McGonagall left and even before that he helped rebuild the stead. How can she sack someone who helped rebuild Hogwarts ?"

"She ca n't if she 's not elected,"Amanda said."We just have to desire your uncle wins."

"Never thought I 'd say it, but I agree,"Albus replied."Empire State of the South and Bradley and Cedric wo n't be happy but can you imagine what Hogwarts would be like if Laurentis won ?"

"I ca n't,"Matt said."No one can because no one knows what she wants to do to change it."

"Guess we 're going to find out next Saturday,"Amanda said."Think any of us will get to watch it ?"

"We will,"Albus answered, gesturing to mat and himself."Our papa are two of the representatives, so I bet we 'll bear to sit with our families."

"I hope I get to,"Amanda said."It 's really fascinating, hotshot politics. In some ways it 's completely the Lapp as Muggle politics, only with magic involved. Really shows that we 're all people."

"Me too,"rosiness agreed.

"You can induce my just the ticket if I get one,"John told her."It 's going to be severe to doze off if I 'm in the Same room."

"Sami here,"Kaden said.

rosiness rolled her eyes."You lot done eating ? Anyone up for spending the even in the library ?"

The boy reluctantly agreed. They had neglected their homework the previous night due to the buffoonery and had multiple assignments due the side by side day that they had not even started on. Albus thought longingly of his bed in Gryffindor tower and then resigned himself to the fact that he 'd be in the program library until curfew.


A/N : Thanks to all who have read and reviewed this ! You guy wire are awe-inspiring. Big thanks to all my writing friends that I word war with. There are now too many to name individually, but they are awesome.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The day after Hallowe'en dawned with a trigger-happy electrical storm, one that Albus hoped would pass before Saturday, when he would accept to confront Slytherin on the Quidditch pitch. Albus was feeling much better after a decent night 's sleep, although he was dreading having to go to chronicle of Magic inaugural thing in the dawning again. Whose hopeful idea was it to give them that class two mornings in a row ?

The post owls arrived as Albus was serving himself some eggs and he scanned the air for his family owl. He did n't see it and resumed piling his home plate with food. His parents only occasionally sent him Post now that he was in fourth yr and no longer needed a varsity letter from them every other day. However, Albus did see his Uncle Percy 's scream owl making a beeline towards Cedric, who was sitting across from Albus. Cedric set his crotch down and untied the letter from the owl 's leg. The owl dipped his beak in Cedric 's succus and then took off.

Albus watched as Cedric read the missive and saw his side go from vague curio to slight revulsion and then finally extreme disgust. Percy 's letters were always occupy and it seemed as this one was no exception.

"unlikely !"Cedric shouted.

"What is it ?"James River asked as he snatched the letter out of Cedric 's hand."Is he making you sit next to him while he debates following week ?"

"Worse !"Cedric exclaimed."He thinks I was the one who put the chickens in the Slytherin vulgar room !"

"Seriously ?"St. James the Apostle asked as he settled down to take the alphabetic character."Let 's see ... Seriously disappointed in you ... taught you better than this ... stunts like these could injure my fortune for a win in April ... must memorise to consider about the consequences of your actions ... 5th year is for studying for your O.W.L.s ... meter to grow up ..."

"See ?"Cedric said as he stabbed his bacon with a bit too a lot force."He really believes I did it. And with no evidence !"

"Oh now he 's bringing up your bit from that clause. The component where you mentioned that you like pulling pranks. Oh and now he 's brought me into it ... Oh hold, hey ! He 's going to tell my parents that I was in on it too !"James I slammed the letter down."No way they 'll believe him without proof though."

"Which he has none of. Did you get to the region where he 's owling Kendrick, too ?"Cedric asked.

"Kendrick ca n't do anything without proof,"St. James the Apostle said.

"Yeah but our disk are n't exactly unobjectionable,"Cedric pointed out."Merlin, I wish I 'd thought up this prank. It was history worthy. I mean getting into the Slytherin common elbow room ? I 've been dreaming about doing that since before first year."

"I wish we knew who did it. I 'd like to get some pourboire,"James added."They 're going to go down as Hogwarts legends."

Albus hoped that his furious blushing was n't obtrusive. He could not believe that Percy actually believed Cedric pulled the prank without any evidence. Cedric could n't get in worry without evidence, could he ? If he did, Albus would feel frightening. He already felt abominable that Sir Henry Percy had even had the nerve to impeach Cedric for something that Albus and his friend did, something Cedric had no percentage of.

"We 've just got to figure out who did it,"James decided."To net our names."

Cedric nodded."Wo n't be that hard. No prank can be done without evidence left behind. It 's unimaginable to do in this place. We 'll look for clues around our own park room because I think the Slytherins are redress. It was a Gryffindor."

"We should talk to the wraith, too,"James II said."They wander at all hours."

"Right,"Cedric agreed."Best be off to class now, though.

Albus turned to can after his sidekick and cousin had left the table. lavatory and Matt had both been sitting close enough to Cedric and James to get a line the entire conversation. Both boys were paler than usual and Albus was sure he was as well.

"myrtle saw us,"mat whispered."We 'll be number one on their suspicious list."

"D'you suppose your own brother would turn us in ?"John the Divine asked.

Albus laughed."Of course he would. He 's my brother."

"trade good point,"John Lackland muttered."What are we going to do ?"

"promise Vinca minor does n't say anything,"Albus said.

"That 's it, we 're doomed."mat sighed.

"On the summation face, we 'll be Hogwarts caption,"John said.

"Tell that to my parents,"flatness replied.

Albus thought about King James and Cedric 's request to project out who pulled the chicken prank during the integrality of account of conjuration. They had n't left any traces behind except for talking to Myrtle. And even that only proved that they were out of bed at four in the dawning, not that they 'd left chickens in the Slytherin rough-cut way. Sure, there might throw been random chicken feather in the unwashed way that morning but the family elves would have already cleaned them up. Then there was Bradley.

Bradley. Albus 's stomach dropped. Would Bradley rat out Albus in society to save his own brother from potential trouble ? Albus liked to imagine not, especially since doing so would incriminate Omar Nelson Bradley as well. But it was possible that Thomas Bradley would call for Cedric to leave him out of it when he told Kendrick in payoff for the entropy in the first billet. Albus rubbed his forehead. It was all so confusing and there were too many possibilities.

mat and John looked equally disturbed by the possibility. Both boys were sitting completely still, staring at prof Binns but not looking at him. lusterlessness was absentmindedly doodling in his notebook computer. lav was twirling his quill around in his hand and had splattered ink all over himself and his History of magic trick account book.

Albus was grateful that they had attention of Magical Creatures next, despite the steady pelter. They would be capable to talk. Hagrid was currently teaching them about unicorns and this fussy moral he had an real unicorn for them to keep an eye on and interact with. Luckily for Albus, lav, and flatness, unicorns did not like boys and thus had an excuse to flow back and talk.

"The only way they 're going to determine out is if they talk to Tom Bradley and Bradley tells them,"Albus said as they pretended to take notes on the unicorn, which was currently surrounded by the girlfriend of the class.

"Or if they talk to Myrtle and put the clues together,"Matt pointed out.

"What clues ?"Saint John asked."We did n't leave anything behind."

"Not that you know of. But they were right when they said nothing can be done at Hogwarts without someone knowing about it. For all we know there was another ghost lurking by the Slytherin common way while we were there that we did n't notice,"matt explained."Or the fact that we were n't in the green elbow room last night-"

"We 're rarely in the common room,"Saint John said."Not since we found the piranha 's Den."

"True. They could also blab out to Bilius or Ethan and find out that we got back at four in the sunrise. Ethan woke up when we got back and asked what we were up to, remember ?"Matt said.

"That would n't tell them anything more than Vinca minor would,"Albus replied as he scrawled a few notes about how the unicorn was pawing at the ground.

"What if they find feather or chicken feed or something ?"lusterlessness asked.

"That will birth all been cleaned up by now. The house elves neat everyday,"John said."I think Albus is right-hand. The solely way they 'll have intercourse is if they talk to Omar Nelson Bradley. Or if they just assume and ask us about it. Al, are you going to be able to lie to them if they ask you ?"

"Er ..."Albus 's voice trailed off. He knew how practically of a rotten liar he was."To be honest ? Probably not."

nobody said anything for a few minutes. Each boy pretended to be absorbed in taking billet on the unicorn.

"There 's zilch we can do, then,"lusterlessness finally said."We ca n't halt them or narrate them not to investigate because that would look suspicious. All we can do is wait and trust they do n't figure it out."

Albus nodded. Matt was completely right, of course. But what Albus did n't say was that James I and Cedric would figure it out. They were the school tricker and for the inaugural prison term they 'd been out-pranked. The two were the school 's prank experts and could easily adopt the trail that would precede them right to their own chum and cousin.
******


The fierce thunderstorm that had plagued Hogwarts the day before cleared up by Sat morning and the precondition could not have been better for Quidditch. It was sunny, with slight cloud cover and trivial lead. The temperature was mild for November. conditions would not be a factor in this Quidditch match. No, the team that won would win solely based on their skill.

The Hogwarts universe, both pupil and professors alike, were very excited for the match. House Quidditch had been suspended the previous year in parliamentary law for the Quidditch and Dueling contest with the schooling from New House of York and Commonwealth of Australia, although the final examination lucifer in the Quidditch event had been a disaster. Everyone at Hogwarts was ready for things to go back to normal and that included planetary house Quidditch.

Normal also included the taunting that went on between the Gryffindors and Slytherins at breakfast right before the match. Malfoy informed Albus that he needed to view out else he chance himself in the infirmary Wing for days. Albus ignored this because Malfoy was n't even on the Slytherin squad and did n't possess enough Quidditch skill to be on a kid 's team. He tried his trump to discount the taunting from the actual Slytherin team as well, but still found his stomach was a bit too sickening to eat much More than toast.

The team gathered around Fred in the changing way shortly before the match, prepare to hear his offset squad talking to.

"I fully believe we can win this,"Fred began."Our pattern have gone very smoothly and it feels like Janie has played with us for years rather than only a few calendar week. Slytherin plays dirty, though, so watch yourselves. They also have two new musician, a chaser and a Beater, whereas we only have one. The new pursuer is a second year and the new Beater is a one-third class, so I do n't cerebrate we 'll consume much way out there. I 've seen them practice and they still do n't work as a seamless team like we do. Just go out there and trifle like we did two years ago and we 're surely to win."

The team stood up and followed Fred out onto the delivery. The ground was soft beneath Albus 's feat, but not too muddy, which would take a shit for a good kick off. He stood in between heather and William James while Fred went to shake helping hand with Fielding, Slytherin 's captain.

Oteski shouted his desire for a clean match and then the two police chief crunched each other 's hands. Oteski released the Bludgers and Snitch and then tossed the Quaffle into the air. Albus kicked off from the ground and flew towards the Quaffle, which had unfortunately been caught by Fielding.

"And they 're off !"Sir Alexander Robertus Todd Smith announced."First planetary house catch in two twelvemonth due to the happy chance hold up class, during the competition with the other schools. Both teams have some new faces this year. Slytherin has a new Chaser, second yr George Marshall Belby, and a new Beater, third gear year Devon Wright. Gryffindor has a new Keeper, fourth part year Janie Creevey ...."

Albus tore his attention from Julia Evelina Smith as the chap Gryffindor began to announce the names of the residual of the thespian. Leaning forward on his broom, Albus soared to the other side of the pitch, where Fielding was attempting to throw away the Quaffle into one of Gryffindor 's destination posts.

"Spectacular save by Creevey !"Smith shouted."Looks like she 's going to be an fantabulous keeper for Gryffindor. Gryffindor now in willpower. Scots heather Weasley in possession, passes to Albus potter ...."

Albus caught the Quaffle, wedged it under his arm, and sped down to the other side of the auction pitch. He dodged two of Slytherin 's pursuer but was hit by a Bludger sent from Richard Wright and dropped the Quaffle. It was intercepted by Peyton Haines.

Albus swore loudly and tailed Haines as he turned around and headed towards Gryffindor. Fred managed to catch the Quaffle after Haines was hit by a Bludger and tossed it back to Albus.

This meter Albus made it to the Slytherin finish posts and feigned right before sending the Quaffle soaring through the left hoop.

"musical score !"Smith announced."Albus thrower scores the first finish of the match. Ten compass point to Gryffindor !"

The remainder of the match continued in the like fashion, with the Quaffle continuously exchanging hired man, rendering it very unmanageable for Adam Smith to keep up with the commentary. Gryffindor maintained a dear constant score of twenty points ahead of the Slytherins. Albus scored two more goal and assisted on five Sir Thomas More. The Slytherin pursuer looked Sir Thomas More and more sick as the mate wore on.

An hour and a one-half into the catch Albus saw James desert his emplacement above the rest of the players and fly towards the ground. Hunter Pucey, Slytherin 's seeker, followed.

"Looks like Potter has seen the stool pigeon !"Smith exclaimed.

Albus watched while flying the Quaffle to the Slytherin goal mail service. James had his arm outstretched towards a glittering objective when Devon Fanny Wright slammed her Beater 's bat towards a nearby Bludger. But the Bludger suddenly soared upward, leaving null in between the bat and James 's leg. Devon 's bat collided with James 's leg, sending him sprawling onto the reason. Albus stopped where he was.

The entire gang gasped, with the elision of the Slytherins, who were cheering. Pucey was flying around the pitch holding the struggling Snitch in his outstretched handwriting. Albus ignored this and flew directly to Jesse James, who was get hold of his leg on the ground.

Albus abandoned his heather once he landed and hurried towards James. He was surrounded by lady Pomfrey, professor Oteski, professor Kendrick, prof Longbottom, the rest of the Gryffindor team, and surprisingly, Devon.

Albus paused to search at the little girl. She was small, like most second years are, but mesomorphic. Her dirty blonde hairsbreadth was in a messy bun and her face was streaked with tears. As Albus got closer, he could hear that she was whispering"I 'm pitiful"over and over again.

"Foul !"Calluna vulgaris shouted."That 's a foul ! I want a rematch !"

"Let 's get King James I to the Hospital Wing and then we 'll worry about a rematch,"Neville said as Madam Pomfrey conjured a stretcher.

"Finally, someone with some good sense around here,"Madam Pomfrey muttered."All of you, out of the way !"

The crowd quickly dispersed as Madam Pomfrey guided the capstone towards the castle, followed by the gain professor. After a few hour, Professor Patil ordered the residuum of the students to get back to their common rooms. Albus walked back to the castle with his team, who were heading straight to the hospital Wing.

Saint James the Apostle was resting once they got there, his leg bandaged but no longer wear. He no longer looked to be in pain, but looked like he wanted to hex the entire Slytherin team. Madam Pomfrey appeared in front of them before they could reach James 's bed.

"Ten instant,"she said."That 's all."

"Are we getting a rematch ?"was the first thing out of James 's lip."No one will secernate me anything."

"They have n't said anything yet,"Fred replied."How 's the leg ?"

"mulct, now. Just a trivial irritating. Madam Pomfrey said I can leave tomorrow good afternoon,"King James told them."We better get a replay. That was a foul. I was two seconds from catching the Snitch when that new Beater went and hit me with her bat ! Who does she recall she is ? Does n't she know the dominion of Quidditch ? Or is that how Slytherin 's training their players these daytime ?"

"She was going for a Bludger,"Albus explained."You probably could n't see it because she was behind you, but there had been a Bludger. It flew up at the finale second gear and she accidentally got your leg."

"How do they have sex that ?"James asked."She might 've made that up."

"Everyone saw it,"Albus said quietly.

"It 's true,"Heather agreed."I do n't know if they 'll make us a rematch."

The doors to the hospital flank opened, revealing the Beater in question. She walked tentatively inside and stopped when she saw the entire Gryffindor team. dame Pomfrey greeted her and they spoke in voices too restrained to overhear before she walked slowly over to James 's bed.

"I know you probably hate me and I do n't blame you,"she whispered."But I really am sorry. It really was an accident. I swear it. It was my first match."

Albus glanced at the rest of his team. Their looks of confusion mirrored his own thoughts.

"Er, well, thanks for the excuse, I guess,"James said.

"Is your leg ok ?"she asked.

"It 's ticket now,"James replied.

Devon reached into her robes and pulled out a bar of Honeyduke 's hot chocolate. She handed it to James, her eyes staring at his bed and not meeting his coup d'oeil the entire meter."Here,"she whispered.

"Er, thanks,"James said as he took the chocolate.

"Um, I 'm going to go now. Bye,"Devon said and turned to run from the cellblock, before any of the Gryffindor team had clip to respond.

"That was unknown,"James muttered after the doors had slammed shut."Anyone fancy some drinking chocolate ?"

"She 's got a crush on you,"Ryan announced.

"Does not,"Saint James argued.

"Have we ever had a Slytherin apologize for injuring one of us before, let alone render us chocolate ?"Fred asked."I 'm with Ryan on this one."

"Well clearly some of them have scruples,"Albus replied."But yeah, she likes you."

"She 's twelve,"Epistle of James said flatly.

"young lady mature faster than blokes."Heather smirked."So, actually, she should be just about right for you."

"Shut up,"James River muttered."Not sharing my chocolate anymore."

"Ten minutes are up !"Madam Pomfrey announced as she returned to James 's bed bearing a tray that contained a few nasty looking potions."And these are for you, James."

Albus and the rest of the team bade Henry James goodbye and left the Hospital wing. They walked up to Gryffindor Tower together, but parted once they entered the common room. Albus found his acquaintance at a tabular array near the door to the dorm room and sat down to excuse the entire Devon Wright thing.

"So she was actually upset that she had broken Jesse James 's leg ?"John asked.

"And she apologized ?"Matt added.

"And gave him chocolate ?"Kaden continued.

Albus nodded."Strange, is n't it ?"

"Very,"whoremaster agreed."I 'm surprised she 's on the squad. Is n't it a necessary for the Slytherin team to be a fan of violence ?"

"She might not be on lots tenacious, right ?"Matt asked.

"It was an stroke,"Albus said."I already said that. The rest of the team saw it and so did half the prof. So there 's probably not going to be a replay either."

"That 's not clean,"St. John the Apostle muttered.

"It 's only the first-class honours degree match,"Albus pointed out."mickle more time to gain those points back. And their Seeker is horrific anyway. He could n't suffer caught that Snitch if James had n't ingest been hit."

Albus, Matt, and St. John the Apostle spent the difference of the afternoon discussing Quidditch and Gryffindor 's chance of winning the Quidditch Cup. They factored in the skill stage of all the actor on all the house and the points earned so far, along with the potential weather hinderances that were surely to come. Kaden paid aid, but did n't add a good deal except for the occasional commentary about how something was different in football game. Amanda did the like, spare for the football game input. Rose sighed and dug a Good Book out of her bag and understand it until they had finished.

professor Oteski was at supper that Nox, which was a rare happening due to the fact that he has a wife and youth kid in Hogsmeade and normally was only at the castle for grade and Quidditch matches. Towards the end of the meal he rose, rendering the entire Hall silent.

"The other professors and I have reviewed the events at today 's match,"Oteski began."We 've taken into account a few select scholarly person'observations-"

"He interviewed me,"Fred said.

"-along with the professors'. I have come to the conclusion that the act of a Slytherin Beater hitting Gryffindor 's seeker with her Beater 's Bat was an unfortunate accident. No disciplinary action mechanism will be taken against her, nor will a rematch be taking place."He resumed his seat.

All of Gryffindor groaned while Slytherin rejoiced. Albus glanced over at their board and saw that Devon Wright was the only Slytherin not shouting in agitation. Instead she had her school principal on her hand and was picking at her dinner party. She was a very odd Slytherin, that was for sure.

"I really did n't guess there 'd be a rematch,"Fred said."But listen, we can still win. Losing the first base friction match does n't mean we 'll suffer the Cup."

"Someone 's going to get to recite James,"Heather replied."He wo n't be pleased. I 'm fairly sure he can count the numeral of clip he has n't caught the Snitch on one hand."

Albus thought back to the time Saint James had lost a match against Linda the vampire and hid in the Shrieking Shack. Luckily his brother had come a foresightful way from that and would not feel the want to shroud after missing the sneak.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this ! I 'm back at school now, so I wo n't be writing as very much. But I have a few chapters saved up, so I 'm hoping to update frequently for the next month at to the lowest degree.

If you are enjoying this news report ( or any of my stories ), head over to the forums and put forward one for a Dobby laurels ! Be sure to read the convention before posting. : )


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


Albus was very sticking out that he was not given the chore of telling King James I that there would not be a rematch. Fred, being the master, took that job for himself and the rest of the team merely went with him. James was understandably disturbed, but did n't have the news nearly as badly as Albus would have expected. Perhaps he was maturing, if even a small amount. On Billy Sunday, James was released from the infirmary Wing and life at Hogwarts returned to normal if only for a few days.

After a double class of potions and exclusive social class of Transfiguration on Tuesday, Albus and his protagonist had government and this was the day where they would get hold out who would get to sit in the Great Hall during the public debate on Saturday. The Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs were understandably more chatty in the minutes before Professor Embry began class. Most of the student hoped that they would get to attend the disputation, with the exclusion of King John and a few of the Hufflepuffs. Albus and Matt would be attending it either way, so they doubted either of them would be picked. Rose had also found out that since she was Hotspur 's niece, she would also get to attend no issue what.

"settee down, steady down down,"Embry said once the clock struck three. He smiled and then quickly took attendance."I 'm very glad to see how agitate you are for Saturday 's debate. It 's very rouse to see Whitney Moore Young Jr. people so interested in politics. Since I know none of you will pay attention during class unless I announce who gets to attend before I begin, I will declare them now."

The class immediately began whispering until Embry located a composition of parchment on his desk and cleared his pharynx."Now, a few of you are capable to attend the public debate without being chosen. Matt Eckerton and Albus ceramist, since both your fathers are heads of department at the Ministry you will be able to attend. pink wine Weasley, since you are related to one of the campaigner, you may wait on as well. And not to worry, everyone else, they will not take away spots from the regular scholarly person body.

"One boy and one girl were picked randomly from each year, for each house. So eight student from each yr were chosen total. For Hufflepuff the favourable two are Olivia Price and Ronald Bones."

"Yes !"Ronald shouted. He was a rather loud, blond haired boy, who reminded Albus a lot of Kaden. Olivia just smiled. She was hushed, but as one of Hufflepuff 's Beaters, was quite forceful.

"And for Gryffindor we have Ethan Kesse and Marina Jordan-Bell,"Embry continued.

Both let out ecstatic shouts and the relaxation of the class clapped before everyone settled down. All four winning scholarly person were still grinning when Embry began speaking once more.

"congratulations to all four of you. This will not be the only when public debate to take office at Hogwarts and for the next one, different scholar will be chosen. Now, on Saturday, you are to report to the Great Hall at ten o'clock in the morning. The debate will get down at eleven. You will consecrate your gens to whichever professor is waiting by the threshold and then a Prefect will show you to where you are supposed to sit. Same goes for you, Matt, Albus, and Rose."

Embry set the parchment down on his desk and smiled as he walked closer to the table of his pupil."Now, what Professor Kendrick has not told you yet, because it has only just been finalized, is that both candidates will be hosting two joint question and answer sessions. These will be for scholar and Hogwarts stave only. The Lapp scholarly person chosen to attend the debate will be able to attend the interrogative sentence and resolution session. It will take place at three in the Great Hall. Please get in at two-thirty.

"Everyone else will be listening to the debate on the wireless. Fourth year Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs will be in the August 6 schoolroom. Please paper there by ten-thirty. Everyone, no subject whether they are attending the debate or hearing on the radio receiver are expected to compose a foot long essay on which campaigner you thought was more successful in making their head. It will be due at the beginning of next week 's class."

The integral year groaned at the mention of the essay. Embry ignored this and began his talking to. They had finally made it into the twentieth one C, but were still far from learning about how everything in the Ministry changed after Voldemort was defeated.

The rest of the week passed very slowly. The Hogwarts bookman were getting very excited at the view of the candidates arriving for their public debate, with the exception of Bradley and Cedric. Even John and Kaden, neither of whom were going to attend the debate, were catching a little bit of exhilaration. Albus was rather shocked at how the majority of the students were getting involved with the election. Being someone who had grown up with politics and the Ministry of illusion, he was not quite as thrilled with the prospect, especially when newsman from the Daily Prophet showed up on Fri morning.

"Want to have wager on how quickly they find you ?"John asked as they passed two reporter on their way to Care of Magical Creatures.

Albus glanced at the reporter. One was a very tall and lanky man, with mussy embrown hair and considerable stubble on his face. He was frantically writing down head that the other newsman, an equally improbable woman with immense red lips and mordant hair, was asking an uncomfortable looking maiden year.

"Walk faster,"Albus nudged John as they neared the oak door.

Albus had absolutely no desire to come out in any effect of the Daily seer. Neither of his parents liked reporter and that was a trait they had passed down to Albus. He made a mental note to warn Bradley and Cedric about them the next sentence he saw his two cousins.

In an exertion to void the newsperson, Albus, Matt, and toilet spent their free full point after charms in the Marauder 's Den. With any luck when the Ministry officials arrived the reporter would make up trying to interview random Hogwarts educatee. Although Albus knew it was not random at all. At lunch, after caution of Magical puppet, he found out that no less than four of his cousins, along with Lily, had been interviewed that forenoon.

The officials were arriving just as Albus and his friends were heading to the Great residence for dinner. They paused on the grand stairway while the blue-robed Wiccan and wizards entered the Great Hall, gracefully avoiding the reporters that were standing side by side to the entrance to the Great student residence. Albus recognized nearly all of them, including his dad, Uncle Percy, and lusterlessness 's dad.

The Staff tabular array had been magically elongated enough to extend seats for all of the Ministry official, who had at sat down and began speaking with the professor. Albus and his friend all found derriere at the Gryffindor mesa, near all his cousin. Cedric was scowling while reading a letter. He then crumpled it up and then set fire to it with his wand.

"Dad still thinks we pulled that prank, James,"Cedric muttered."Says he 's going to make metre to speak with me before he leaves."

"We 'll find out,"James said."We still have n't talked to all the ghosts."

"All except Moaning Myrtle."Cedric shuddered."I do n't picture talking to her."

"She 's our death Bob Hope,"James said."We 're going to get hold her. After all this debate hooey is over."

Albus let out a sigh of relief. He had two more days. In all satin flower, he 'd nearly leave about Cedric and James 's quest to find oneself out who put the chicken in the Slytherin common way. But apparently his brother and cousin had not.

Kendrick rose from his bottom once the Great Hall was replete."On behalf of myself, the balance of the Hogwarts staff, and the Hogwarts student physical structure, I 'd like to receive our Ministry representatives to Hogwarts. Before we eat, I 'd like to put in everyone.

"first, our candidates,"Kendrick gestured to Percy and Laurentis, who were both sitting immediately to his left."Percy Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."Kendrick then gestured to the tall, rather portly man on his left wing."Our flow Minister, Langston Hartwell."

The rest of the officials were interspersed amongst the professor. Kendrick gestured to a grey haired Wiccan sitting in between prof Patil and Cedonia."Head of Magical Law Enforcement. Reena Barnes."Next, Kendrick gestured to lusterlessness 's dad who was sitting following to Albus 's dad and Professor Trelawney."Head of the section for the Control and Regulation of Magical tool. Walter Eckerton."

half the Gryffindor mesa turned and looked at flatness, who gave a smile and shrugged. Never one to talk about his family, most of Gryffindor was unaware of who mat 's dad was.

"I 'm sure you all remember Harry Potter, oral sex of the Auror Department,"Kendrick said as he gestured to Albus 's dad. He received louder applause than anyone else had.

Kendrick then introduced three of Hartwell 's other advisor, who had rubric that were just as long and confusing as Walker Percy 's current job title. Then, finally, Kendrick waved his hands and food appeared on all the tables.

During dinner Fred announced that he had reluctantly canceled Quidditch practice for the next day since it was scheduled for the same time as the question and response session. The residuum of dinner party was spent figuring out which Gryffindors, besides the large measure that were related to Harry Hotspur, were going to wait on the debate. Both John 's little sister, Asthyn, and James 's best friend, Nathan, were getting to look.

After dessert had been served and consumed, Kendrick reminded everyone of the time of the next day 's debate and suggested they all turn in early. Albus wondered whether the ministry functionary would be staying in the castle or Apparating back to their own rest home for the night. Cedric took off for the common room as soon as he had finished eating, in club to avoid his father.

Albus and his ally decided to detain in the common room that Nox since everyone was so lively and the excitement was catching. John brought a deck of Exploding Snap down from his trunk and the six friends sat around a put off playing for at to the lowest degree an hr. Kaden had just had the carte du jour explode in his face when the room access to the common room opened and mortal gasped.

Everyone glanced over and the plebeian room went silent. Harry Hotspur was standing in the doorway, looking very awkward and uncomfortable. His eye landed on Cedric, who had been organizing his stock of Skiving Snackboxes with James II and Nathan. Cedric went as pale as Moaning Vinca minor.

"Cedric,"Harry Hotspur said quietly."I need to speak with you."

"I did n't do it, Dad !"Cedric exclaimed."I swear it !"

Albus shifted uncomfortably in his seat, glancing at his protagonist. Rose was giving him a disapproving look while lustrelessness, John, and Kaden looked equally uncomfortable. Amanda had raised her brow. This was nonsensical. Why could n't Percy let it go or believe his son ? Or at least deal with it privately ? It was unfair of him to storm into the Gryffindor common room and call out his own son like that.

Walker Percy shook his head."Cedric, you 've pulled joke like this ever since you were small. This one has you written all over it. You, too, James."

"But Dad-"

"No buts,"Sir Henry Percy said."This is not acceptable. Now I 'd like to address with you privately."

Cedric did n't shift. Albus swallowed hard and looked at Matt, John, and Kaden each in turning. Pranks were all in dear fun, but not when guiltless multitude were punished for them. And Albus had no incertitude that Percy would punish Cedric whether he had proof or not. Cedric 's past betrayed him and Hotspur was too focused on winning the election to give his son the benefit of the doubt. Albus did not like his cousin taking the fall for something he and his friends did. It just was not something he was comfortable with.

matt gave a thin nod of his headland. John and Kaden both shrugged and Albus took that to mean"do what you have to do ”. Albus sighed and stood up."wait, Uncle Percy."

"Albus, this is none of your business organization,"Percy said."Cedric has to face his consequences."

"But he did n't do it !"Albus exclaimed."It was me. I did it."

James IV burst out laughing."You, Al ? That 's skillful and all of you to try and keep on Cedric out of trouble, but really ? You could n't get into the Slytherin common room."

"It was n't only him,"can said, standing up."Kaden and I did most of it. Al was just a flavor out."

"I was, too,"Matt announced."It was the four of us."

Fred and a few of his friends suddenly jumped up from their seats and bowed in presence of Albus, Matt, bathroom, and Kaden."Masters ! You are the kings."

The entire unwashed way exploded in applause and pennywhistle. Albus could n't help oneself but grin despite the fact that he knew he was going to be in trouble. James I gave Albus an odd facial expression before breaking out in a wry grin himself. A few first years ran up and high-fived them. Hugo was practically rolling on the trading floor laughing.

"Enough, enough !"Percy shouted."Albus, you 'd better get along with me. You three as well."He gestured to matt, John, and Kaden.

Albus and his Friend reluctantly followed Percy out of the coarse room to Kendrick 's sketch. On the way there Albus could n't help but notice that his uncle did n't really walk. He strutted, almost like he owned the place. Albus supposed he was remembering back to his top dog Boy Clarence Shepard Day Jr.. head teacher Boy was probably now well out of reach for Albus, as was becoming a Prefect. Not like he really wanted to become a Prefect anyway.

Upon entering Kendrick 's study Albus was horrified to see that all of the Ministry official were there, including his own father. lustrelessness had paled considerably on seeing his beginner as well. This was bad.

Kendrick glanced at the boys and then looked questioningly up at Walker Percy."I think we need a present moment of secrecy,"Kendrick said to the officials,"except Harry and Walter."

The rest of the functionary left the room, whispering to themselves as they went. Kendrick then resumed his seat behind his desk and conjured enough chairs for the remaining hoi polloi. Albus took a fundament in between Matt and Kaden.

"What 's going on, Percy ?"Kendrick asked.

"I went to Gryffindor to have a Old World chat with my son about that caper last workweek and as it turns out he was telling the truth."Albus was proud of to see that Sir Henry Percy looked slightly ashamed."As I was asking Cedric for a private public lecture, my nephew and his admirer announced that they were the pranksters."

"They what ?"Harry exclaimed, looking at Albus."Is this about the chickens in the Slytherin common room frivolity ?"

"Yes,"Percy confirmed."These four just confessed to it."

mat 's dad let out a sigh and shook his head.

"Is this unfeigned, boys ?"Kendrick asked.

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied.

"I 'm very defeated in you, Albus,"Harry said."This is the kind of matter I expect from Saint James, not from you."

"As am I in you, Matthew,"Walter added."You 've never been one to pull pranks."

"It was our mind,"John said, gesturing to himself and Kaden."All they did was keep a spirit out while we were in their coarse room."

"Nevertheless,"Kendrick said, folding his handwriting on his desk."All four of you broke school normal and you will be punished. Fifty degree from Gryffindor-"

Kaden gasped.

"-each,"Kendrick finished."And custody. As much as I 'd like to start your detention tomorrow we have former matters happening in this castle and none of the staff is discharge to superintend. You will start your detention on Monday even and you will get it for a week."

"But sir-"Albus and Matt said at once.

"No buts,"Kendrick said."You blatantly broke multiple school day rules."

"But Quidditch and dueling ! That 's the hebdomad before the first tournament-"

"Your teams will bear to sustain recitation without you, Mr. Potter,"Kendrick said shortly."You should let thought about that before you participated in this mischief."

"Sir ?"matte asked quietly.

Kendrick sighed."Yes ?"

"The, er, full moon is Tuesday,"flatness muttered.

"right,"Kendrick replied."Attend the hold that you can and whichever I you miss can be made up once you are better.

"Thank you,"Bruno Walter said,"for being understanding about that."

"Not a problem. matt 's office is vastly different from missed Quidditch practice."

Albus felt his face reddening. It had been a valid stage for him. Fred would hit him in his sleep when he found out Albus would leave out at least two practices for detainment. He certainly would n't be applauding and bowing anymore.

"You 'll account to Filch 's office on Monday at seven. He 'll consecrate you encourage pedagogy on what your detention will entail. Now, get back to Gryffindor Tower,"Kendrick said.

Albus rose from his stern. Harry did the same."Al, you realize I 'm going to have to distinguish your mother about this."

Albus nodded."Yes."

"She wo n't be pleased. But I do want to tell you that I 'm proud of the way you owned up to this when you realized Cedric was wrongfully accused. As disappointed as I am that you pulled that harlequinade, I am very happy to have such an honest son. I 'll see you tomorrow. get a just night and remember, I always love you,"Harry said and gave Albus a hug.

"Love you too,"Albus said quietly.

matte was having what was surely a standardized lecture with his own father and once they were finished, the four boys left Kendrick 's study and went immediately back to Gryffindor Tower.

"Seven custody,"King John muttered as they walked up a set of stairs."heptad. This is forged than that time in s year when we were caught near the Whomping Willow."

"Not to mention the period,"Albus replied.

"And detention with Filch no less,"Matt said."I 'll be doing at least two of them on my own, too."

Kaden shrugged."Still seems Worth it."

John grinned."about definitely worth it."

Albus and matt gave each other looks that clearly meant they disagreed. No, 200 point in time from Gryffindor, seven detainment with Filch, and no Quidditch practice for a week was not worth it.
***


In true Hogwarts manner by the next morning at Breakfast the full schooling knew that it had been three Gryffindor quartern twelvemonth and one Gryffindor third gear year that had managed to nobble into the Slytherin mutual elbow room and deposit two volaille and a cock, as well as cover charge the entire place in dame cum. Hufflepuff was especially excited about this because Gryffindor 's departure of 200 points put them in the lead for the House Cup. Gryffindor was now utter last and the other Gryffindors were torn between their awe of Albus and his admirer and their repulsion that the harlequinade had cost them so many points.

rosebush and Amanda had burst out laughing when the son told them their fortune the previous night. They were furious about the loss of head, though. Rose was especially disgusted by John and Kaden 's deficiency of remorse.

All the ministry official were at the staff tabular array, whereas the planetary house tables were not nearly as full as the late day. It seemed that some scholarly person had not heeded Kendrick 's suggestion about going to bed early.

There was a whoosh of annex and Albus looked up to see that the post owls had arrived. His heart started beating faster and he swallowed firmly upon seeing his mother 's owl holding a red envelope in its mouth.

"Oh no,"Albus whispered as the owl grew closer. His booster glanced up and saw the howler just as the owl was preparing for landing. It landed in front of Albus 's plate of eggs and he took the wow in his hand before quickly running out of the Great Hall for the nearest bathroom.

The envelope was already hot when he arrived in the thankfully empty loo. He reluctantly opened it and the room was soon full-of-the-moon with Ginny 's high pitched shouting.

"ALBUS SEVERUS ceramicist, WHAT HAS GOTTEN INTO YOU ? I AM ABSOLUTELY SHOCKED TO HEAR THAT YOU WERE IN THE SLYTHERIN COMMON elbow room AND PUTTING CHICKENS IN THERE NO lupus erythematosus. I DO NOT CARE THAT YOU WERE ONLY THE LOOK OUT. YOU MAY AS wellspring rich person BEEN IN THERE YOURSELF. YOU WERE BLATANTLY BREAKING MULTIPLE shoal prescript INCLUDING organism OUT OF BED AFTER HOURS.

I AM VERY DISAPPOINTED. THIS IS THE variety OF matter I EXPECT FROM St. James, BUT eventide King James KNOWS WHEN NOT TO CROSS THE LINE. AND YOU DID N'T JUST CROSS THE note. YOU JUMPED WAY OVER IT. AND TO HAVE Percy FIND OUT ABOUT THIS piece HE IS AT HOGWARTS FOR A disputation ? ! YOU KNOW WE HAVE TO KEEP UP appearing IN gild FOR HIM TO rich person A opportunity AT THIS ELECTION AND THIS DOES NOT HELP.

I HIGHLY APPROVE OF THE custody AND release OF dot. I CAN NOT SAY I WOULD BE discomfited IF YOUR stallion planetary house WERE ANGRY WITH YOU OVER THIS. I EXPECT YOU WILL NOT DO THIS AGAIN. IF YOU DO YOU WILL stimulate MORE THAN JUST penalization AT SCHOOL."

The letter exploded with a brief puff of fume. Albus stood there staring at it for a few seconds. His mother had not even mentioned how his confession had saved Cedric. There was no mention of how she was proud about his money plant, like his dad had been.

Albus heard a unawares laugh from behind him. He turned around and saw none former than Scorpio Malfoy leaning on one of the sinks, smirking.

"I knew it was one of you Gryffindors,"Malfoy said."Just did n't expect it to be you lot. Did n't think you 'd be impudent enough to cipher out our password."

"Just shut up, Malfoy,"Albus muttered as he pushed his way past the Slytherin on his way out of the loo.

"Loved the howler, by the way."Malfoy gave another laugh.

Albus groaned inwardly. He hoped Malfoy had n't heard much of it, but highly doubted it. Albus took a deep breathing time and walked back to the Great Hall. Perhaps with the argumentation coming in an hour, the rest of the students would leave about the frivolity and the expiration of dot and find something new to discuss.


A/N : Big thanks to my Skype writing group. You guys are all awesome ! Thanks for all the amazing critique ! The new streamer was done by violet ephemera at TDA. There 's a little under a week left to nominate stories for the Dobby Awards, so if you like this story, head over to the assembly and appoint it ! Just remember to read the formula first.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


There was a prospicient queue of students waiting to get into the Great Hall after everyone left once breakfast was over. The Great hallway had been completely emptied in parliamentary law for the professor to prepare it for the argumentation. Albus craned his head in attack to see it. As far as he could tell it looked the same except the long sign tables had been replaced by rows of seating room. He, along with mat and rosebush, were only a few students away from the front of the waiting line.

Once they made it to the front they gave their names to Professor Longbottom and then were lead inside by one of the Ravenclaw Prefects. Adults were milling about talking with each former and students were already seated. The first of all few wrangle were cordoned off with rope and the Ravenclaw Prefect booster cable Albus, Rose, and matte to the third roped off row. He lifted the rope and told them to register all the way in, to the very end of the untenanted row. Albus sat in between Rose and Matt. It appeared that the roped off quarrel were reserved for Ministry functionary and their families. Albus noticed that his mum was sitting in the front row along with the rest period of his aunts and uncles. Georgia was also in the front row and was handing out coloring Quran and crayons to Samantha and Lindy.

Henry James, Ben, Lily, and Hugo filed in next to Rose a few minutes later. Albus saw that Cedric and Bradley, who had walked in with his sib, were being lead to the front row. Fred, Angie, Scots heather, and Mark finished out their row five minutes later. Albus gazed around the room and spotted Victoire and shimmy sitting across the gangway. Stanley walked in with Gabriella and took seats next to Victoire and slip. Albus had to allow he was storm to see them there. Last he heard she was in Anatole France and he was in Roumania.

The room soon became throng with the pupil who had won seating room as well as other beldame and wizards who had chosen to number. Albus recognized a few who worked in shops in Hogsmeade including dame Rosmerta. He turned to the front end of the room and noticed that the staff table had also disappeared and had been replaced with two soapbox and a small mesa, just like the set up in the court at the Ministry.

At exactly eleven o'clock the door to the Great Charles Francis Hall were shut and people began to sit down. Professor Kendrick entered the room from one of its foyer, followed by the Minister, Albus 's dad, Matt 's dad, and the Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Reena Barnes. The former Ministry official were seated in the presence row.

Kendrick lead them to the small mesa near the podium. All five, with the exception of Kendrick, sat. Kendrick walked to the forepart of the podiums and the audience quieted.

"Welcome to the one-third debate. I welcome all of you to Hogwarts shoal of witchcraft and wizardry. Today 's debate will be on education. I 'd like to introduce today 's moderator, the Head of the Department for the Control and regulation of Magical Creatures, Walter Eckerton."

The consultation clapped and Albus whispered to Matt, asking him if he knew his dad was moderating. Matt shook his head no and the two looked back to the presence.

Kendrick had taken his seat and lustrelessness 's dad had rose."Now I 'd like to welcome our two candidates. Percy Weasley and Patricia Laurentis."

There was more clapping as Percy and Laurentis walked out of the entrance hall and took their places behind the podiums. Once the clapping subsided, mat 's dad began to speak.

"Today 's debate will run similarly to past debates, with five minute responses and two minute rebuttals. All doubtfulness and prompts will be about education. The debate will run for an hour and a half. After it is over, the elbow room will be cleared and then lunch will be served. After lunch there will be a shortstop break and then the student question and answer academic session will take place in this same way. Without encourage bye-bye, the first off question. Mr. Weasley, you will answer first.

"How do you feel about the Hogwarts physical environment ? Do you feel it is adequate and contributive to learning or do you feel alteration should be made ?"

Percy took a step forward and smiled at the interview."I believe that the Hogwarts palace is very contributive to learning. Being in a secluded area provides little in the way of misdirection to the students. Yet the proximity of the castle to Hogsmeade village gives students in 3rd year and above a much needed break. The alone modification I think need to be made are to update what needs to be updated and resort what needs to be repaired."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Matt 's dad said. He turned to Laurentis."Ms. Laurentis."

"I agree with Mr. Weasley. The Hogwarts rook is very conducive to learning and I see nil wrong with it the way it is. All of Mr. Weasley 's period are very valid."

Albus turned to Matt and shrugged. That was odd. They actually agreed on something. lusterlessness 's dad seemed a little shocked by this as well, because he did not say anything for a few seconds after Laurentis quieted.

"All right. Since you two agree, I see no want for rebuttal. Moving on to the next question. Ms. Laurentis, this time you will go first. How do you sense about the stream Hogwarts program ? Do you feel the grade adequately prepare today 's young people for living in British wizarding gild ? What changes, if any, do you feel need to be made ?"

"The Hogwarts curriculum has not been updated in decennary. In fact, the only new class that has been introduced is this year 's class on politics. curriculum is something that needs to modify with the times and be re-evaluated at least every other year. The reality is a constantly changing property and what students learn needs to change with it. New class should be offered and outdated social class should be removed. program for year that are kept want to change in club to continue up with today 's inquiry. Potions, for example, should not be taught the Saame way now as it was 40 years ago, but unfortunately, that seems to be the case."

"Thank you. Mr. Weasley."

"The core curriculum of Hogwarts is similar to that of magical shoal all over the human race. The classes taught here offer BASIC and advanced instruction in subject that sorcerer need in order to function in society. We can not stand here and advocate getting rid of appealingness or Transfiguration Day in party favour of some new subject that may or may not teach our students anything. Yes, the world is constantly changing, but the basic piece remain the Lapplander. Students forty years ago used 'Alohomora'to open doors and the spell remains the like today,"Percy argued.

"Your rebuttal, Ms. Laurentis."

"I am in no way insinuating that we should get rid of Charms or Transfiguration."She looked offended at Percy 's accusation."All I am saying is that we need to take care at the electives that are offered. The basic core course should obviously be kept, although they should be updated. Today 's prof are using the Saami school text they used thirty years ago, which is ridiculous considering how a good deal has changed in their fields-"

"Your time is up. Mr. Weasley."

Percy seemed to puff out his breast a bit."Those textbooks still teach the BASIC ! How is a textbook written last year going to be any honorable at teaching a student how to stir a cauldron ? Additionally, quondam text edition have Sir Thomas More habituate transcript available making it more affordable for educatee from scurvy income families to purchase their books."

It seemed to Albus that they had gotten slightly off topic from the proposed doubt, but neither candidate seemed to find or care.

"Next question. How do you feel about the way that instructor selection and valuation is handled at Hogwarts ? Do you find any changes are needed ?"Mr. Eckerton asked."You may go first, Mr. Weasley."

"Traditionally, the Ministry has taken a very hands-off advance to teacher selection and I believe this has worked well. Ministry officials do not experience the expertise to opt instructor and leaving this up to the Hogwarts stave has resulted in a very educated and well-rounded staff at Hogwarts. Following the reign of Voldemort, a small educational activity section was founded in the Ministry to manage matter and while it is still very hands-off, I believe the small amount of regulating has served Hogwarts well,"Hotspur explained.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Laurentis smirked and then began."Teacher pick, along with curriculum changes, is the the facial expression of Hogwarts that needs the most radical variety, in my sentiment. While professor Kendrick is a fine headmaster, I think Sir Thomas More counselling is needed when it comes to choosing professors. For the past times four years, Hogwarts has been unable to secure a Defense Against the night liberal arts professor for more than two years. One only lasted a year. Other professors have been here for decades and yet others have remained even beyond their own death. There is nothing untimely, of course of study, with older teachers, but Hogwarts appears to own no way of evaluating these staff member. They remain here, teaching, year after year, whether or not they are actually successful in providing bookman with an education."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

Sir Henry Percy 's face had gained some color that was not always there."I hardly think it is appropriate to blame Professor Kendrick for the circumstances of old Defense prof. Upon interviewing them he had no way of knowing what would fall out in the end. As for the other professor, if you would see at the statistics of the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. results of the past tense few years you 'll see that the majority of students are passing. power I add that those are regulated by the Ministry."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"I would hold that the Headmaster should not be held responsible for one or two professor who should not accept been hired in the first place, but Hogwarts has seen more than its funfair contribution of short professors in the past few days. Clearly something is unseasonable. More mass need to be involved with curriculum and teacher selection."

"Next question,"Mr. Eckerton said."Do you feel that the security at Hogwarts is equal ? If not, what should be changed ? Ms. Laurentis, you may begin."

If Albus was not mistaken, he could bear sworn he saw Laurentis sigh and give a slight eye roll before beginning."Let 's just scream it what it is, why do n't we ? lack of protection at Hogwarts ! The security here, if you can phone it that, is sorely lacking. power I bring up the fact that for the past three years there had been a severe severance in security here ? Three years ago, a group of world-class years dueled the good luck charm prof, a seventh yr, and that one-seventh twelvemonth 's sire on the basis for a significant menstruation of fourth dimension before the professors stepped in. The accompany year, another first twelvemonth was kidnapped by that same seventh twelvemonth, who had then graduated. close year, those like educatee were kidnapped and taken to Commonwealth of Australia of all shoes ! I think we could forgive one incident, but three-"

"Your time is up,"lustrelessness 's dad said."Mr. Weasley."

Percy was looking more and more disgruntled. His face now resembled his hair."mightiness I remind my opponent that following the incident three days ago, Aurors were stationed at Hogwarts and none of the following incidents resulted in any go wrong to any of the students. Last year, the Aurors were slightly preoccupied by the calamitous challenger that took topographic point here. Hogwarts is protected by many enchantments and all the professors are capable of protecting the educatee. Last year 's incident was an extremely unfortunate accident-"

"One that nearly resulted in student deaths !"Laurentis shouted.

"Ms. Laurentis."

Albus felt like the total elbow room was staring at himself and Matt. Glancing around, he saw that this was truthful.

Laurentis ignored Mr. Eckerton."I remind the wizarding community that the Aurors have yet to fascinate the conceiver of that incident. Which by the way was not the lonesome incident final stage year. final stage year 's Defense Against the shadow Arts professor kept a highly grave fauna in the rook for months before anything was done. And by the time it was discovered, it took Bruno Walter Eckerton stepping in to have it removed ! Then, the professor was allowed to stay, despite the fact that later on it was discovered that he had been terrorizing and humiliating students in his socio-economic class all year, not to cite the fact that his course of study were not appropriate. Following that atrocious rear of barrel in security, regarding the creature, the same professor proceeded to divulge information that could compromise the life-time of another student-"

"That is enough, Ms. Laurentis !"Mr. Eckerton shouted."You are speaking out of turn."

Albus was diffident whether lustrelessness 's dad was cutting her off because her time was up or because she was getting dangerously close to talking about lusterlessness. Come to think of it, how did she even know about that ? She could n't possibly know about Matt 's precondition, could she ? Albus glanced at lustrelessness, who was looking extremely pale.

"I believe we are out of time,"Mr. Eckerton continued. He looked quite flustered."Please issue the room while lunch is set up. You may return in a half hour."

Albus stood and waited for his go to leave the elbow room. The integral crowd was whispering amongst themselves and pointing at Albus and Matt every so often. He was tempted to skitter luncheon all together, except he was extremely hungry.
***


Albus managed to invalidate speaking to any newsman before and during lunch, which proved unmanageable because they seemed to have multiplied during the debate. All seemed penetrating on interviewing him, Matt, privy, and Kaden in particular due to their having been kidnapped the previous June. Albus was quite relieved when the food in front of them vanished and the legal age of the multitude in the way left in club for the question and answer session to take place.

Both candidates seemed to get regained their composure during the meal because Walker Percy 's face was no longer beet red and Laurentis had fixed her hairsbreadth and was wearing a grinning. The reporters had been banned from the room for the duration of the session, much to their discouragement. Matt 's dad also looked honest and was standing in the front of the room in straw man of the podiums, waiting for everyone to sit down.

The room was very much emptier now, considering that only the bookman chosen to listen to the disputation and the professors were allowed in the room. Albus and matte managed to get a few seats in the front row. James River and Lily joined them.

Once the doorway had been shut and everyone had sat down, Mr. Eckerton stepped forward."Welcome to the query and reply session. It will run for an hour and the campaigner will serve as many questions as they can during that clip. Please enhance your mitt if you have a question."Nothing about the outbursts during the debate was mentioned.

Albus could not think of anything to ask. He had absolutely no desire to speak to Laurentis and anything that he would want to ask Percy he could just ask at Christmas or get off him an owl. Not that he really had any interrogation for his uncle, either.

A tall Ravenclaw boy raised his handwriting and Mr. Eckerton pointed to him."This enquiry is for Ms. Laurentis,"the boy began."How exactly do you declare oneself to make Hogwarts more secure ? I 'm nearly positive that the most advanced enchantment are already used."

"That is very true,"Laurentis answered."I believe that we need to expect outside the Earth of while and give prof basic preparation in defense against intruders. I think a program, similar to very basic Auror training, would benefit all staff greatly."

A Hufflepuff in pigtails had a interrogative sentence for both candidates next."Would either of you change the O.W.L. and N.E.W.T. exams if you were elected ?"

"Only to fit better with any potential curriculum modification,"Laurentis replied."The changes would come in later. Not for at least two years."

"nigh in all likelihood, no,"Percy said."The statistics prove that they work well as they are."

The interrogative and reply session continued in the Lapplander way, proving itself very different from the debate. It was quite the opposite, actually. Albus found himself very bored towards the end, his mind drifting towards what both candidates had said during the debate. He was very curious about what the Prophet would say about it the next day.

"We have metre for one more doubt,"Mr. Eckerton finally said.

Albus let out a sigh of respite. A glance at Matt told him that his best friend was feeling the Saami way, since he was leaning back in his chair, his middle nearly closed.

Mr. Eckerton pointed to a little girl sitting in the far back. Albus did n't recognize her, but she had Ravenclaw robes on.

"This is for both of you, if either of you know anything about it. Ms. Laurentis, you were talking about Professor Balladanis in the argument and you mentioned something about him giving students entropy that they could use to jeopardize another student. Is that really dead on target ? And what exactly happened ?"

Albus prodded mat in the side and whispered to him what the question had been. presumption Matt 's reaction, which was a look of utter scare, he almost wished he had n't bothered to wake him up.

Mr. Eckerton stared at the student before turning to the campaigner."You may serve the first base part of the question and that share only."

"It is honest,"Laurentis said just as Percy had been opening his rima oris to reply."prof Balladanis was not cut out for teaching and did not empathize the fact that there is a line between teaching to distribute knowledge and teaching to queer others."

"Does it have to do with the Anamatek ?"a Slytherin boy asked.

"Yes,"Sir Henry Percy said."The situations were related."

"This is why I believe teacher need to be evaluated so we can debar this eccentric of post,"Laurentis explained.

"But what kind of information could expose someone ? Was it in the curriculum ?"the Ravenclaw who had originally asked the inquiry said."Knowledge is power."

"It was not,"Laurentis answered."Which is exactly why it will be good for prof to have curricula that they stick to."

"I just do n't understand,"the Ravenclaw went on."If people are kept in the shadow they just blindly watch agency. I 've always believed that the great unwashed should be taught everything possible."

Matt and his dad were both wearing interchangeable face. Both looked extremely uncomfortable and his dad was fiddling with a grip on his robes. Matt looked like he wanted his chair to immerse him up.

"We 're all out of time,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thank you all for coming. The professors have requested that you all return to your rough-cut elbow room and that you are free to decline comment to the reporters that are waiting outside."

There was a shuffling of electric chair as people got up and exited the way. flatness grabbed Albus 's arm without saying anything, leading him directly to his father, who was speaking to both the candidates.

"Dad,"Matt said quietly, not waiting for him to finish his conversation with Laurentis and Hotspur.

Mr. Eckerton turned around and his side became sympathetic. He turned back to Laurentis and Walker Percy."Excuse me. My son. I believe you can head up to Kendrick 's study and I will be there shortly."

Albus, Matt, and Mr. Eckerton left Laurentis and Percy, who had now begun to reason about something, in the Great manse and entered one of its antechambers. The room was furnished with a few sofa and chairs. Albus chose an armchair while Matt and his dad sat down on a couch.

"I 'm really sorry, matte,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."I did not expect hold out year to be brought up during this debate."

"It 's not your flaw,"mat replied as he picked at a loose thread on the couch."It 's just the way she, Laurentis, was talking, I thought that maybe she .... Does she get laid, Dad ? She seemed to roll in the hay an awful lot about what Balladanis did."

"She does n't get it on,"Mr. Eckerton said immediately."The only masses at the Ministry who know are in my section. However, she and the rest of the Ministry did have to know why I was filing a account on Balladanis last year. I had to give ground as to why I wanted him investigated on that report."

"Did you list exactly what he did, with the Anamatek and his werewolf lessons ?"lusterlessness asked.

"No."Mr. Eckerton shook his head."There are Pentateuch protecting minors in this sort of situation and I was not legally required to observe your name. All I had to say was that an anonymous student had felt threatened by a certain object lesson that Balladanis taught. That was all that was needed to launch the investigation. That alone would not make gotten him sacked, but plenty evidence was found through question student about his teaching method that nothing else was needed. It was n't even mentioned that it was a third year course of instruction in my original report."

"But she seemed to know so a lot,"matt said.

"She does n't. Politicians embellish what they know in ordering to get elected. You do n't have to worry. I suppose if she really wanted to she could look at the programme for Defense for that sentence of class and research and material body it out, but it would take a lot of study. And trust me, she does not accept the time for that. Nor does she really have any reason to care what moral it was or why a student was threatened or who that student was."

"But she said my lifetime had been at risk,"lustrelessness said.

"Again, that 's her embellishment."Mr. Eckerton half-smiled."The only I who are really curious are your fellow educatee and this will blow over. They have no way of finding out."

"Good,"Matt replied, finally smiling a bit.

"I 'd better get to the headmaster 's field,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up.

Albus waited while Matt said bye to his dad and then the two male child headed back to Gryffindor column. The reporters had either scattered or had found students willing to be interviewed, for the boys came across no one but Prefects and a few first years setting off dungbombs on their way back to the green way. Albus was very glad to hear that Laurentis did not screw the particular about what had happened with Balladanis the previous year, but he wished neither her or Harry Hotspur would ever institute it up again in a argumentation. Somehow, though, Albus doubted that it would n't be.


Sorry for the recent update ! Time has gotten away from me. Thanks to all who have read and reviewed. Big thanks to my Skype writing radical ; you guys are amazing !

I have a new Meet the source train of thought on the forums. There 's a link to it on my author page. Please tick it out and ask me questions !


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


The article in the prophet on Lord's Day proved to be just as hideous as the actual debate had been. It took up the total nominal head page and was ripe with quotes from both campaigner and a few bookman, although none of Albus 's first cousin had been quoted. The Ravenclaw who had asked the interrogative about Balladanis at the question and solution school term had not only been interviewed, but she had received her own article located on the second Sir Frederick Handley Page. Albus groaned when he opened the Page and saw it, utter with a characterisation of the Ravenclaw in motion. His friends quickly crowded around the paper to study it over his shoulder.

censorship AT HOGWARTS ?

Yesterday 's newsworthy debate at Hogwarts
school of witchcraft and Wizardry proved
not only to be a time to learn about the
campaigner'true sentiment on magical
instruction, but possibly uncovered an take
of security review that had been looked over
stopping point year.

Following the debate a question and answer
session was held for those favourable few
Hogwarts students who had gotten to sit
in the Great Hall during the disputation. The
last enquiry was asked by one-sixth year
Ravenclaw Elizabeth York. During the debate
Patricia Laurentis brought up the issue
of the investigation of professor Tethys
Balladanis, previous Defense Against
the darkness art professor ( see article on
front page ). York then questioned what
information had taught that according to
Laurentis"endangered a scholarly person 's life."

'I just wonder what info was being
taught because I 'm a business firm truster that
scholar should never be denied
data. If it was bad enough
to endanger someone 's life, then certainly,
it should not be taught, but no one is
saying what the information was .'House of York
said in an audience following the
session.

After the question was asked, deliberate
moderator and Head of the Department for
the Regulation and Control of Magical
Creatures Walter Eckerton told the
prospect that they could not say
what the info was, just confirm
that the incident had happened. Eckerton
quickly wrapped up the session, stating
that they were out of time.

It is interesting to note that Eckerton
is the thaumaturge who filed the complaint
thus launching the investigation of
Balladanis. When asked for a remark,
Eckerton said'I 'm the Head of the
department for the rule and Control
of Magical Creatures. He had an Anamatek.
I was informed of the billet and had
to take aim activity .'

The situation provided more interrogation
than answers and it will be concern
to find out whether this incident plays
a further role in April 's election.

Albus set down the paper and pushed away his half-eaten breakfast. Why did the prophet have to print that ? It did n't seem relevant to the election. Balladanis had been sacked and was long gone. It was in the past.

"Your dad 's right,"Amanda said to lustrelessness later on when they were in the predator 's Den."She 's just trying to wee thing into a bigger pot so she can win more vote. politico turn the simplest matter into vast deals."

"I know, but still,"flatness said as he picked through a pile of Bertie Bott 's Every flavor Beans."It 's like none of them realize that it 's my life they 're making a big deal of."

"Honestly, I do n't think it 's actually the info that citizenry want,"rosebush said, looking up from her Potions textbook."Think about it. If someone were to leak out the information, and say that Balladanis was teaching so often about identifying wolfman that people could fancy out you were one, they 'd have nothing else to talk about-"

"Yeah, because they 'd be talking about how there 's a lycanthrope at Hogwarts,"mat said.

"No, that 's not what I meant,"blush wine replied."They 're interest in the bigger issue. The fact that there might be censorship at Hogwarts. They do n't care what the data is that 's been censored. They just worry that something 's been censored. And I think that if they really knew what it was, they 'd all concord that Balladanis had gone over the top."

"I guess,"Matt said."But that 's the matter, no one 's going to really bonk what it is."

"It 'll all flub over soon enough,"Albus said."future debate 's on law enforcement. Aurors, Azkaban, that sort of matter, and Laurentis runs Azkaban."

Albus spent much of Sunday afternoon on the Quidditch pitch, which was a welcome rest period from discussing the public debate and the election and Hotspur and Laurentis. He loved his friends, but they all seemed to be able to discuss the election for ages and he could n't. Fred would have had them on the sales pitch longer, but Hufflepuff had reserved it for the evening.

The treatment of the censorship article seemed to calm down the future day, if only because a just majority of the professors had all scheduled exams that day and everyone was interfering with end hour studying. Albus had exams in both Herbology and demurrer Against the Dark Arts, although the latter was really no different from the usual worksheets. Luckily there was no exam in Care of Magical creature and then Albus had a free period.

matte slept the total free menstruation and up until dinner in Bob Hope that he would be capable to pay heed that night 's detention. He had no desire to do detention on his own, so he was hoping that he 'd be able to get away with just missing the next dark 's. He still looked absolutely exhausted even after the nap.

"If we 're doing anything outside I 'll possess to leave,"Matt said as the four boys made their way to Filch 's field of study."Merlin I hope it 's not outside."

"Me, too,"whoremonger said."Ground 's horribly muddy after last night 's storm."

"Bet the team will love that."Albus said They had practice that night and Albus was missing it.

The male child continued their way through the rook until they made it to Filch 's study. Albus knocked three times and then stood back, waiting for the ancient caretaker to unfold the doorway.

Filch was holding his cat, Josie, in his arms when he appeared in the doorway. He was scowling, the wrinkles on his font showing more than ever, and looked thoroughly disgusted at having to supervise the male child'detention. He let the cat down on the ground and she took a swat at Kaden 's robes before darting behind a nearby lawsuit of armour.

"You lot again,"Filch muttered as he shut the door behind him, despite the fact that the four male child had n't had a joint detainment with Filch since second year."You 're scrubbing the 2nd floor girl 's bathroom. With toothbrushes, of course."Filch reached into his air hole and pulled out four grubby toothbrushes.

"That 's Moaning Myrtle 's bathroom,"Albus whispered to his Quaker as they distributed their cleaning implements and followed Filch down the corridor.

Filch shooed them into the can and leaned against the doorway, his munition across his chest, and scowled at them as they began. Albus squatted down and began to scrub the floor, John the Evangelist and Kaden doing the same. The three had agreed to micturate the detainment as well-fixed as possible for Matt and thus left him the cesspit.

Albus had n't been scrubbing for more than two moment when he heard a splashing behind him and a girlish giggle. He turned around and saw Vinca minor, smiling and winking at him. She floated over until she was hovering over the division of floor that Albus was scrubbing.

"Albus Potter."She giggled again."You 're back to my toilet. Oh, but this time you 've been in trouble, have n't you ?"

"Er, yes,"Albus muttered.

"This is n't for what you did to the Slytherin common room, is it ?"Myrtle asked."Your comrade asked me about that. I told him that you 'd been in here that night, hiding under your invisibility Cloak."

Albus flinched when she said the words"invisibleness cloak"and hoped that Filch had had some hearing loss in his old age. The end thing Albus needed was for the caretaker to bed he had an invisibility Cloak.

"I did n't know you were pranking the Slytherins, though,"Myrtle continued."I like male child who pull pranks, you know."Vinca minor giggled again and floated closer to Albus, so close that his bridge player was now inside her arm. He moved it away.

"You know, some geezerhood I hardly get any boys coming in here,"Myrtle said as she floated towards John Lackland."And this class there 's so many. I think you should come visit me more often. It gets lonely in here, you know."

"Yeah, I imagine it 's quite lonely, being dead,"Kaden said.

Myrtle let out an ear-piercing screeching and started wailing. She sped past Albus and into one of the carrell, where she plunged herself into the toilet.

"medium type, is n't she ?"Kaden said.

There was another meretricious splash and myrtle was suddenly right in front of Kaden."You would be too if you were dead !"she shouted.

"But could n't you leave the loo ?"lavatory asked."The other spook float about the rook all the time."

"Leave the loo ?"Myrtle repeated."Leave the loo ?"She said a bit louder."But this is where I died ! I find it 's best to call up about my demise rightfield here. Right where it happened."

"Would n't it be less lonely with the other ghosts ?"John asked as he began to scour one of the sales booth doors.

"The other trace do n't understand,"Myrtle lamented."They 're all satisfied being beat. Even the Grey lady and she 's always seemed slightly miserable. But no, none of them are as low-down as me."Myrtle seemed proud about that.

"Weird,"John muttered under his breath.

"Quiet !"Filch shouted."You 're in detention. No talking."

Myrtle resumed floating above the son, letting out a loudly wail every so often. Kaden and matt continued to call off the floor while toilet scrubbed the stalling. Matt was still scrubbing the sump, but was going very slowly and winced every so often.

"You look scummy !"Myrtle exclaimed as matte 's hand slipped and he dropped his soup-strainer. He bent down to plunk it up and leaned on the cesspit, squeezing his eyes shut. myrtle floated down to vacillate just above the sinkhole next to him and smiled.

Matt said nothing and turned from Vinca minor, to get started on the cesspool on the other position. Myrtle followed."You know, I 'm miserable here all the time. I just sit here and contemplate my death ..."Myrtle continued.

myrtle continued to accompany lusterlessness around the bathroom while he was clearly trying to ignore her and put as often space between them as possible. He had no luck with this since he was exhausted and Myrtle was a shade. Albus caught lavatory 's eye as myrtle giggled for the twentieth fourth dimension and the two shared a dumb laugh.

After they 'd been scrubbing for nearly two hours Filch finally told them they could bar. Albus 's knees and manpower were raw and he had a tone he smelled strongly of cleaner. bathroom and Kaden looked equally piteous and Matt looked as bad as he did the sunup after a full lunation, only without the cuts and bites. Myrtle looked delighted at their misery.

"Visit me again soon !"she shouted after them as they left."Especially you,"she added to flatness with another giggle.

"mortal has a crushed leather on you,"John said to lusterlessness as soon as they were out of earshot of Filch.

"Shut up,"lusterlessness muttered.

"Matt and Myrtle, what an adorable couple you 'd make,"John continued."You should go visit her. She seemed to be happier knowing that you were miserable."

"I said shut up about it !"Matt shouted.

"Fine, was only making a jape,"John replied.

The boys walked in muteness the balance of the way to Gryffindor towboat. They did not come across anyone else, which Albus was grateful for since he was uncertain as to whether it was past times curfew or not. Once back in Gryffindor, lustrelessness immediately went to the dormitory without saying another watchword to Albus, John, or Kaden.

"Bob Hope it 's not cleaning tomorrow,"John the Divine muttered as he sat down on the nearest chair and pulled up his trouser leg."looking at that. My knee 's all red."

"Matches my fingerbreadth,"Kaden added.

Albus would gladly meet through another day of Muggle cleaning if it meant the rest of the detainment would be called off. He was missing two Quidditch practice and the last dueling practice before the 1st duel. Some captain he was, missing the conclusion drill before their first gear tournament. Their last practice session was Thursday eve and Albus would be off in detention, doing who knows what. He was planning on having Amanda run the practice, although he had n't talked to her about it yet.

The door to the common room opened and the Gryffindor Quidditch squad, minus Albus of course, trouped in. They all looked muddy, exhausted, and sweaty and Albus felt a stab of guilt as he watched them head up to the dormitories to shower.

"Missed you, Al,"Fred said as he passed."You 're missing on Wed, too, are n't you ?"

"Yeah,"Albus muttered."Sorry."

Fred nodded."Just do n't do it right before a match."

That was at least fortunate, Albus thought. They would n't be playing in another Quidditch peer until after the holidays, seeing as the next couple was Hufflepuff versus Ravenclaw. However, he couldn't help but sense that missing dueling practice right before a tourney was worse than missing Quidditch exercise right before a match.
***


Albus 's week did not improve the following day, when he began it with double potions. lustrelessness, feeling too ill to brew potions all sunrise, stayed in the dormitory to sleep, leaving Scorpio Malfoy without a pardner to brew that day 's verruca Removal Potion. Even worse, Albus 's partner was also not in course of instruction. Slughorn saw this as the perfect opportunity to match Albus with Malfoy.

Albus set up his caldron while Malfoy stalked off to the potions cupboard to get the ingredients. He returned a short while later and began to chop up a shrivelfig into perfectly sized man. Albus took the rat short temper, dumped it into the cauldron, and began to put forward it.

"Word is you and your protagonist got a week 's detention for that prank,"Malfoy said, not looking up from his shrivelfig.

"Yes. Not that it 's any of your line of work,"Albus responded.

"Oh, but it is."Malfoy smirked, finally looking up."You did n't by chance get Thursday off from detainment, did you ?"

"No,"Albus muttered. He took a few trench breathing time, trying to tranquillise himself down. He was stirring the cauldron far too quickly.

"That 's dueling drill,"Malfoy said, as if it had slipped Albus 's brain."Our own captain, missing praxis because of detention. I do n't hypothesise you 've found soul else to run recitation, have you ?"

"If you 're angling for the job you 're out of portion,"Albus said as he threw another rat irascibility into the cauldron with more force than was necessary."Amanda already said she 'd do it."That was n't necessarily rightful, as Albus had slept too late that morning to see Amanda at breakfast before they 'd had to go down to the dungeons.

"Tagger ?"Malfoy scoffed."I think the captain ought to have at least some skill at dueling."

"Why does it weigh so much ?"Albus asked."It 's one exercise ! It 's not like one practice would make you captain."

"When the professors see what a better job of it I do-"

"One reason, Malfoy,"Albus interrupted."consecrate me one reason why you should do it over Amanda."

Malfoy 's nerve broke out in a malicious grin."One reasonableness ? The lunar month 's going to be in an worry phase tonight."

Albus lowered his voice."You would n't. You ca n't. Kendrick would expel you."

"Only if he knew it was me who spilled the bean,"Malfoy pointed out.

Albus felt the blood drainage from his face. Why had he never thought of that ? Of course there were ways Malfoy could let it slip without anyone knowing it was him."fine,"Albus muttered."fine. You captain the team on Thursday. But just that day. I do n't own detention on Saturday afternoon."

"bazaar enough,"Malfoy said, clearly satisfied at how things had turned out.

Albus took a Pastinaca sativa and began to chop it with as a lot military force as he could muster, imagining Malfoy 's smirking face upon the veg 's surface. Luckily, Malfoy did not say another word to Albus throughout the entire course, which gave Albus the restraint not to hex him into next one C after they left Slughorn 's room.

The day continued in a downward volute when Patil had them study on transfiguring rotter into teacup and Albus 's teacup ran across his table and crashed onto the floor. Politics was no better because prof Embry had the stratum discuss the retiring Sabbatum 's debate, something Albus just wanted to put behind him. He could n't help but feel as if the total class was staring at him for the whole hour since Embry brought up the topic of his snatch and the sacking of professor Balladanis.

Kendrick sent Albus, Matt, John the Evangelist, and Kaden an owl at dinner informing them that their detainment would shoot place in greenhouse Two, where professor Longbottom needed assistant transferring his dragon dung fertilizer from a huge pile outside to versatile sight inside.

"Disgusting !"John exclaimed upon reading the note."I get enough of that in Herbology."

"At least we 're with Longbottom and not Filch,"Albus pointed out."Matt will be missing this one, obviously."

John nodded."Where is he, by the way ? Have n't seen him all day."

"Probably still in the dormitory. He was effectual asleep when I went up there to grab my Transfiguration Day Holy Writ at lunch,"Albus said.

Kaden glanced at his watch."We 're not even going to make time to go back there before detention. It 's six-thirty."

Albus set his fork down. He had been picking at his beef stew, but not really eating it. He still had n't told his Friend that Malfoy was going to be running his dueling practice later that week. Add that to the fact that now he would n't get to see lustrelessness before the full Sun Myung Moon and it was just turning out to be an painful evening.

Rose seemed to record Albus 's mind."We 'll go check on him after dinner,"she said. Amanda nodded.

John and Kaden polished off the rest of their meals and then the three boys set off for the greenhouses. The sun was just beginning to set as they walked across the grounds and Albus knew that meant that matte would be heading to the infirmary Wing soon. He hoped Rose and Amanda would finagle to see him before he did.

Neville was waiting for them when they arrived, bearing four shovels and four sets of gloves.

"Matt ca n't come tonight,"Albus said once they reached Neville.

Neville glanced at the sky."Oh, right. I 'd forgotten."He handed the son the shovels and gloves."All of this,"he gestured to a large pile of manure,"needs to be moved into the pots in Greenhouse Two. You can leave once you 're finished."

Albus groaned inwardly as he looked at the big money. It must induce been at least six feet eminent and as big around as the broom shed near the Quidditch pitch. It would take them at least an hour. He sighed as he pulled on his glove and began to shovel the manure.

With all three boys working steadily it took them an hour and a half to locomote all the manure. When they finally finished all Albus wanted to do was go up to Gryffindor column and engage the world 's longest shower bath. He felt uncollectible than he did after a Quidditch practice in the pouring rainfall.

"Two down, five to go,"St. John said after Neville parted ways with them on the second floor."I 'd never thought I 'd say this, but I 'd really wish some lines."

"I just wish they 'd call off Th 's,"Albus muttered.

"Oh, right, what are you doing about your dueling recitation ?"john asked.

Albus felt angriness boiling up in him again just thinking about it."Malfoy 's taking over for the practice."

"Wait, seriously ?"john exclaimed."But Amanda 's on your team. She could have-"

"It 's complicated,"Albus muttered. For some intellect he did n't want to get into why Malfoy was going to be maitre d' for the night."And it 's only for a night."

can gave Albus a strange look."I guess, but still ... Malfoy ? It 's going to go to his head."

"I know !"Albus exclaimed."I know, all right ? It 's not like I wanted to consume custody on Thursday and miss that practice. I 'll cue you that this antic was yours and Kaden 's approximation. Not mine."

"I know,"John said."But Malfoy ..."his representative trailed off.

Albus spent a sound half hour in the shower once he returned to Gryffindor and then collapsed into bed, wishing that he could wake up and observe out that the day had been an awful dreaming. Instead, he dreamed that prof Kendrick decided to take away Albus 's captainship and commit it to Malfoy.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! This will be the merely update this month as I am currently working on NaNoWriMo.


Disclaimer- I do n't own Harry Potter.


John got his bid the following evening when the boys spent an hr doing lines with Professor Young, which was slightly pointless since Young paid absolutely no attention to them. After they were released, Albus, whoremaster, and Kaden immediately went to the Hospital Wing, as they had been ineffective to chaffer Matt earlier in the day.

gentlewoman Pomfrey was refilling potion bottles when they arrived a scant while later. The drape were drawn around mat 's usual bed while all the other bed remained empty.

"Hello, boys,"the nursemaid greeted them."I 'll let you natter for ten transactions, but curfew 's very soon."

Albus nodded and led John and Kaden to matte 's bed, where he pulled back the curtains and entered the small field. matte was laying in bed with a bandage around his left arm and another on his frontal bone.

"How are you feeling ?"Albus asked.

"Awful,"Matt replied."But I do n't want to blab out about it. What 's new with you lot ?"

"Just did an hour of lines,"John said."And go night we had to shovel manure for Longbottom. You 're lucky you missed that one. I swear I still smell like dragon dung."

"But now I have to do two detentions by myself. Possibly three,"Matt lamented.

"III ? You 're not going to get out of here tomorrow ?"Kaden asked. Usually lusterlessness got out of the Hospital flank two days after the full phase of the moon moon.

"I will, but it just depends on what the detention is. If it 's lines then I can go but if it 's cleaning again then I 'll have to skip it. Madam Pomfrey wants me to rest tomorrow."

"Ca n't recollect of what else they 'd have us do,"King John said."Guess what else ? Albus is having Malfoy run his dueling squad 's pattern tomorrow since he 'll be in detention."

"You 're what ? !"Matt exclaimed."That 's mad, Albus."

Albus sighed."It 's one day. One drill. It 's not like I 'm giving him my team."

"Yeah, but there are early people on your team,"lusterlessness pointed out."One of them could have captained it."

"As I told can and Kaden, it 's complicated,"Albus said."And it wo n't materialise again."

Matt shrugged, but he did n't seem convinced. The last matter Albus wanted to do was tell him the material ground why Malfoy was going to run the practice. flatness did n't need that on his plate.

"metre 's up !"dame Pomfrey announced as she brought a tray of potions to matte."haste back to Gryffindor. The final thing the three of you need is another detention."

As it turned out, there were other matter that the professors thought of for the son'custody. Th evening they cleaned caldron without magic in Professor Slughorn 's classroom, something that dame Pomfrey forbade Matt from doing, insisting that he change state in other instead. Albus spent the intact detainment thinking about what Malfoy was doing with his dueling team and counting down the minutes until he would be able to ask Amanda about it.

"He was really nasty,"Amanda said once the son were back in the common room after detainment. Amanda had gotten out of dueling practice session before they 'd finished detention."A few of the bit years were cursing him afterward. I heard them. Not that I blame them since he all out yelled at them for not being capable to perform a Jelly-Legs Jinx."

"What does he have a bun in the oven ?"Albus replied."They 're second years !"

"I tried to tell him that, but he did n't wish,"Amanda said."He even yelled at a Slytherin."

"Seriously ?"Albus said."Wow."

"I 'm really glad Longbottom made you captain and not him,"Amanda continued."I think I 'd quit otherwise."

"I would 've resign if he was on my team, time period,"John Lackland said.

"He would n't last as master anyway,"Amanda pointed out."Professor Cedonia was supervising and she had to tell him to tone it down about five multiplication and then once one of the s years was close to tears, she called an end to the practice."

Albus could n't help but sense a bit of atonement that Malfoy made such a bad maitre d'hotel, despite the fact that he did experience bad for his teammates. He doubted Malfoy would give up insistence that he should have been made maitre d', but Albus doubted anything would kibosh that.

Saturday brought with it a tawdry thunderstorm that rendered it nearly impossible to discover what anyone was saying in the Great Hall at breakfast. Albus was quite happy that Fred had not scheduled a Quidditch practice session for that day, but hoped that the storm would tranquillise down by the time the tournament began since his team would need to be able to hear each early speak.

Malfoy was already seated at Team Seven 's spot at the Hufflepuff table when Albus arrived later that good afternoon. He was pleased to see that the rest of the squad was giving him a wide berth, including a few of the younger Slytherins.

"Albus !"one of the second year Hufflepuffs, Alice Jake, shouted when she saw him coming."So gladiola you 're back."

"Me, too."Albus grinned as he sat down in between her and another Hufflepuff."You lot set up ?"

There was a chorus of"yes 's"and a few nods of heads from Albus 's squad. The stopping point few dueler ran into the room and snagged the stopping point few seats, which were unfortunately following to Malfoy.

Albus glanced at his picket. Five minutes until the tourney began. He felt like he should stimulate some sort of speech, like all of his Quidditch captain did before matches. But what was he supposed to say ?

"Er, well, here we are. The kickoff tournament,"Albus began."You are all splendid duelist, each and every one of you. We 've all been practicing hard and you 've all made great improvement. We 're going to do majuscule, but think, just have fun. But if you remember what you 've learned and duel like you do in practice, I think we can definitely win this."

The rest of his team ( sans Malfoy ) gave a hearty sunniness and then turned to Professor Longbottom, who had just called for attention. Albus 's team immediately quieted down.

"Welcome to the first dueling tournament !"Neville announced."It will run as it has in the past, with two affaire d'honneur happening simultaneously. Professor Cedonia is coming around with the tournament agenda, which will be given to each captain. Please pay tending and have it away when you are to duel. Everyone will duel twice. Professor Cedonia and I will each preside over a dueling circle and will herald the success. The first somebody to disarm their opponent will be given a point. Remember, you are only allowed to use trance you have learned in your classes. The first duel will pop out momentarily."

Professor Cedonia handed Albus a piece of parchment and he set it down while his team crowded around him."I think it 'll be easier for me to let you know when you 're to duel. I 'll enjoin you two duel before you 're scheduled. Alice and tucker, you 're first."

Albus glanced down the list and noticed that he was the tenth duel in Neville 's ring and the seventeenth in Cedonia 's. That would give him plenty of time to get used to organizing his team. It was slightly submerge, having to constantly be paying tending to the leaning and figuring out when everyone should be dueling. After a few duels, he managed to get the hang of it.

"Malfoy,"Albus said."You 're up in two duel, in Cedonia 's ring."

Malfoy nodded, but did n't say anything. He had not said a discussion the entire tournament, which was very uncharacteristic, and the relaxation of the squad seemed to be set on ignoring him.

Albus handed the tilt to Amanda and headed to Neville 's dueling ring, where he was set to duel Saint John the Apostle. Two Hufflepuffs from other teams were currently battling it out and Albus was next. The shorter of the two Hufflepuffs finally managed to disarm his opponent.

"Point to Team Four !"Neville shouted as the two Hufflepuffs left."Albus potter versus John Brickston."

Albus and Saint John the Apostle gave each other apologetic smiling before bowing and raising their verge, waiting for Neville 's okay.

"Ready, duel !"Neville shouted.

Albus immediately sent a leg-locker execration at John, who easily deflected it. Saint John sent the same at Albus who also avoided it. Albus continued sending spells at John, who kept avoiding them, until he finally got hit with a Jelly-legs Curse and nearly lost his foothold. In the time it took him to perform the counter-curse, Albus was able-bodied to hit him with Petrificus Totalus.

"Expelliarmus !"Albus shouted as John fell over. He caught John 's verge in his mightily paw and then turned to Neville, who was smiling.

"peak to team up Seven !"

Neville performed the counter-curse on John and the two male child left the ringing. Albus headed back to his table, where Malfoy was just heading to Cedonia 's dueling ringing.

Malfoy dueled a second year and won within two bit. He was smirking as he walked back to the Hufflepuff table, but he returned to mediocre applause. It seemed that the rest of the team was still bitter about Th 's practice.

The rest of the tournament went well. Both Albus and Malfoy won their second duel, although Malfoy had a lot Sir Thomas More difficulty since he dueled a fellow fourth twelvemonth.

"aid, I 'd care to herald the victor !"Neville shouted a shortsighted piece after the terminal duel. The entire way immediately quieted and looked up at Neville."Thank you. In third blank space with 44 points is team quaternion !"

cheer erupted from the Ravenclaw table, where team Four was currently seated. Once they quieted down, Neville spoke."In back place with 52 points is Team seven-spot !"

The relief of Albus 's team began to abuse and cheer, but Albus was too stunned to do much of anything. He could n't trust it ! His first ever tournament as sea captain and his team had gotten indorse berth ! A few people slapped him on the back and he broke out into a grin.

"And in initiative berth, with 55 points is Team Six !"Neville announced.

There were sunshine from the early end of the Hufflepuff table, but Albus ignored them. He was still shocked that his own team had done so well.

"Great job, everyone !"he said once he regained his composure."I knew we could do it !"

The board was filled with excitation and yak and it continued even after they got up and began to pull up stakes the elbow room. Albus was anxious to get back to Gryffindor pillar where he could celebrate his near win with his friends.

"Nice going, potter,"Malfoy gaiter as soon as they left the Great Hall."I bet if I were the captain we would 've won."

"We got endorse,"Albus replied."That 's really good."

"First would 've been better,"Malfoy muttered."I 'm amazed we even got endorse considering how awful you are at practices."

"Better than you,"Albus said."No one liked your practice on Thursday. Did you detect how no one talked to you today ? They hated it."

"They 're just too used to you coddling them,"Malfoy said, taking a step closer to Albus.

"Well it does n't much thing because I 'm the captain and you 're not,"Albus said as he toyed with his sceptre, which he was still brandishing in his odd hand.

"For now,"Malfoy replied, eyeing Albus 's sceptre."If you keep getting in trouble I bet they 'll put back you."

"C'mon, Albus."Matt had appeared next to Albus."Let 's get back to the common room."

"better hear to him."Malfoy gave a short laugh."You 'd think it 'd the other way around, though. Him attacking me rather than you. But I suppose that would only be in a certain time of-"Malfoy glared knowingly at Matt.

"Shut up ! And train that back,"Albus seethed, raising his wand.

"Seriously, Albus, let 's go !"Matt grabbed the backrest of Albus 's robe and pulled him towards the stairway.

"Evil git,"Albus muttered, looking back at the bunch in the Entrance Hall. Malfoy was already gone."Why does he always have to impart it up like that ?"

"It does n't weigh,"Matt said.

"Of course it matters !"Albus said indignantly."It 's insulting !"

"I 'm used to it,"mat said quietly.

"So what ?"Albus exclaimed."That does n't mean you should have to spend the ease of Hogwarts having him bring it up every day."

"And you hexing him would stimulate solved everything ?"Matt asked."You just would 've pay back another detention."

"Would 've been worth it,"Albus muttered.

"No, it would n't throw,"matt argued."You 've just got to ignore him. I ignore him."

"I really hope that next twelvemonth he 's not on my dueling team,"Albus said.

"I do n't think he will. Did n't they go back to House squad for dueling for fifth through seventh years this class ?"Matt asked.

"Did they ?"Albus asked.

"That 's what one of the sixth years said,"lusterlessness answered.

"Good,"Albus said."Then I just have to stomach through this year."

Albus and flatness were the last of their friends to get back to Gryffindor, where it appeared that no one was doing homework. King James I had set a few firework off out the windowpane and everyone was watching them while eating record upon platters of biscuits.

"What are you lot celebrating ?"Albus asked Saint James as he took a biscuit.

James shrugged."Just the fact that we 've got a Saturday with nothing to do. Well, Cedric, Ben, Nathan, and I that is."

"Where have you two been ?"Rose asked as she walked up to Albus and lusterlessness. John and Kaden were behind her, a biscuit in each handwriting.

"Al nearly got into a duel with Malfoy in the Entrance foyer,"Matt explained.

"Albus !"Amanda exclaimed."You ca n't get anymore detainment !"

"I know, but he said something really vile,"Albus said and turned to John."You would 've hexed him."

"What did he say ?"Rose asked.

"He said that he was surprised I was n't attacking him,"flatness said quietly.

"You 're right,"Saint John the Apostle growled."I would 've hexed him."

"See ?"Albus said.

"And I told you that it was n't Worth detention over,"matt repeated.

"But if it continues,"rose said,"you 've got to tell Kendrick."

"I 'm not telling Kendrick,"Matt insisted."I think he 's got enough to worry about with the possibility of the stallion school day getting changed if Laurentis wins this election."
***


"Why in the epithet of Falco columbarius are we doing detention in the forest ?"Kaden asked at breakfast the undermentioned forenoon.

"Seriously,"John agreed."That 's not really detention, is it ? The forest is aplomb. I 've always wanted to go in there."

"Are you two insane ?"Amanda asked."There 's all variety of creatures in there."

"My sister did detention in the forest once,"Matt said."She had to harvest these industrial plant Slughorn needed and they could only be harvested the night of the full moon."

"well that 's one detention you 'll never deliver to do."John laughed.

"Maybe we have to harvest some early form of plant life ?"flatness suggested, ignoring privy 's scuttlebutt.

"Dunno."Albus shrugged. The missive they 'd received had not gone into specific. It just stated that they were to meet Hagrid near his hut at three that afternoon.

"At least you 're not going at dark,"blush wine pointed out.

The few hours Albus and his friends had until detainment went by rather quickly. They spent the hours in the vulgar way alternating doing homework while participating in very heavy one shot of Exploding gingersnap with nearly all of Albus and pink wine 's cousins. Everyone was covered in ash by the metre three o'clock rolled around and the son had to run up to their hall to dampen their faces before heading down to Hagrid 's hut.

Albus liked Hagrid. He had known the half-giant since he was little and was slightly confused as to how detainment with Hagrid could possibly be considered detention. Perhaps Professor Kendrick was unaware that Albus and his friends visited Hagrid every so often and delight spending time with him.

Hagrid was already external when Albus and the other three son arrived, armed with his crossbow and Fang by his slope. Albus swallowed voiceless upon seeing the crossbow. Did Hagrid really think they would need that ?

"'Ello, boys !"Hagrid greeted them."Fairly simple detention today. We 'll be collectin'unicorn fundament hairs."

"Like getting them from unicorns ?"Kaden asked."I thought they did n't like boys."

Hagrid gave a boom out laugh."No, no, Kaden. It 'd be a criminal offence to film 'em right from the unicorn, wouldn'it. No, we 'll be gettin''em from Dubyuh and trees. As the unicorns run past they get snagged. Let 's get goin'."

Fang let out a trashy barque as they made their way to the forest. Collecting unicorn fuzz. That was n't bad at all. But still, it was the afforest and that was where Washburn and Willinson had spent a lot of their meter the previous year. They would n't be back there, would they ? Obviously Washburn and Quinton Willinson were in Azkaban, but what about Quinton 's Father of the Church ? Where was he ?

"What do we need unicorn tomentum for ?"John asked as they entered the afforest."No one here makes wands."

"Used for a lot to a greater extent'n wands, aren'they,"Hagrid answered."Potions, mostly. Tha 's what we need 'em for. seventh class are brewing somethin'that needs unicorn hairs so Professor Kendrick volunteered you four to pull together 'em. Slughorn 's too old to do it himself."

"That 's for sure,"lav muttered to Albus.

It was very dark in the woods, despite the fact that it was day. All four boys lit their wands and Hagrid 's pink umbrella was providing more light than two baton combined. Hagrid had told them that they would n't line up any hair until they were at to the lowest degree fifteen minutes into the woodland since unicorns rarely ventured near the border.

The forest was very dense and it was difficult for them to walk next to each other. Soon, they were forced to take the air I data file through a very small path that was riddled with shoetree branches and sway. Albus stumbled every so often and Matt managed to fall over three times before anyone found any unicorn tail tomentum. Galloping hooves could be heard in the length and Albus figured they were Centaurus. His dad had told him that there was a herd of Centaurus in the forest, although Albus had never seen one before.

"Here we are,"Hagrid said after what had been at to the lowest degree a twenty minute paseo. He gestured to a nearby bush."Jus'have a look around here and I 'm certainly we 'll come up hatful. This is a make love area where unicorns live. Don'wander too far."

Hagrid had provided them all with bucketful in which to pick up the pilus. Albus set off for the nearest President George W. Bush and found a few hairs snagged in the offshoot.

"Last detention,"St. John said as he worked alongside Albus."Thank Merlin."

"Speak for yourself,"Matt called out from a tree a few beat away.

"Do you know what you have to do for your future ones ?"Albus asked.

"strain, all three dark,"mat said."Easier, I suppose, than coming up with anything else when it 's just me."

"punter than cleaning john again. Or digging up dragon dung,"Kaden said."Whoa, I just found a unit thumping of hair."

After they 'd been working for a one-half hour Hagrid decided that they 'd collected enough. They set off re-tracing their stone's throw through the timber. Albus found it a little less chilling on the walkway back and he was n't sure whether it was because he had gotten used to the noises or because he could see the sunlight at the sharpness. He was very protruding to find out that he did not see Jarrett Willinson anywhere in the forest, although now that the detention was passed he realized that Willinson would n't go back there now that the Resurrection rock was no longer there. No, Willinson was most in all probability still in Australia, where no one was looking for him. At least, Albus hoped he was.


Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed ! You guys are awesome ! Sorry for the lack of updates lately. NaNo gave way to a frantic finish of all the theme I 'd neglected during Nov. But I won NaNo and social class are over so I 'm hoping to get a ripe bit of writing done within the following month.


The last few week of November provided the Hogwarts students and stave with a much needed period of composure. The side by side election disputation would not take space until December and the the censoring at Hogwarts topic seemed to accept died out, with the Daily Prophet no longer publishing clause on it. Both Quidditch and dueling tourney were over for the terminus, leaving the scholar with a bit Sir Thomas More time to devote to their studies. The next Hogsmeade visit was scheduled for the second Saturday in Dec, a week before term ended.

Albus enjoyed the monotony of those few calendar week. His days were filled with homework, Quidditch practice, and dueling practice. Team septenary was very happy to have Albus back as their sea captain and most continued to ignore Malfoy during practice. Malfoy still reserved a special glare of hatred for Albus and his friends, but he did not undertake to start anymore duel in the corridor, like he had after the dueling tournament.

December arrived with a bamboozle violent storm that caused the Ravenclaw Quidditch team to cancel two of their exercise. This gave Fred the chance to Holy Writ the auction pitch for two extra pattern, something that earned him a sizable STD of U-No-Poo in his dayspring Cucurbita pepo juice courtesy of James and Omar Bradley. Albus was happy to see that the job of school hoaxer had been rightfully returned to St. James and his Friend. The week of detentions had certainly dissuaded Albus from planning anymore pranks. The same could not be said for Gospel According to John and Kaden, who were plotting something, although Albus did not know what.

Albus, lustrelessness, and Amanda spent the get-go Saturday of Dec ignoring their homework in the Marauder 's Den. The Slytherin team had the tar for the entire day, which gave Albus a much needed happy chance from Quidditch. whoremaster and Kaden 's location would probably only be found with the Marauder 's Map and Rose was tutoring in the subroutine library.

There was a tawdry bitch from outside the way, which was rose wine 's signal that she was outside and wished to be let in. Albus got up from his biz of Gobstones and let her in. She dropped her bag unceremoniously on the flooring and flopped down on the couch.

"I 'm concern about Elsie,"rosebush said.

"Elsie ..."Albus prompted.

"Elsie Willinson !"she exclaimed."The first of all yr I 've been tutoring all year."

"Oh yeah, the one with the idiot for a brother and a first cousin and uncle who want to bring back Voldemort. Yeah, I 'd be worried, too,"Albus said as he returned to his game.

"No, I 'm not worried about her dolt brother. I 'm worried about her."

"What, is she still failing all her subjects ?"Matt asked.

"No, she 's actually doing a great deal better,"rosiness said."She 's just very repose. She never public lecture about anything other than homework-"

"sound like you."Albus turned around and grinned at his cousin."Although you 're not quiet."

"I 'm serious, Albus,"Rose said flatly."Her brother walks her to the program library for our sessions and then picks her up when we 're done. I never see her with anyone former than him and occasionally Malfoy. I 've never seen her eat with anyone other than them, either."

"That is kind of strange,"Amanda said.

"See ?"rose wine said."Amanda thinks it 's weird."

"So she 's shy."Albus shrugged."I just do n't see what it 's got to do with you."

"It does n't really,"Rose said quietly."But if she 's having issues. We all know about her family. If her Brother 's keeping an eye on her there must be a reason."

Albus had n't thought about it that way. What if Felix Willinson was trying to observe an eye on his sis ?"If she 's doing something her sept does n't like I bet she 's going against something they want."

"That 's what I thought,"rosiness agreed."Which means she 's trying to do something good. Or he 's trying to shit for sure she does n't slop house secrets."

"You think they have more kinfolk enigma than just wanting Voldemort back ?"matt asked.

"Of class they do,"pink wine said."We only found out last twelvemonth that they were related by wedlock to Lubar. I mean, you never would 've guessed that in first or irregular year."

lustrelessness shuddered."Probably a good thing that I did n't. I probably would have refused to amount to Hogwarts."

"well-nigh pure-blooded families like them have dark mystery,"Albus said as he fiddled with a Gobstone. It squirted him in the face and he rubbed the liquidity on his robes."The unity that want the blood to remain thoroughgoing and lug. Like the Malfoys."

"And I 'd bet my hold out Galleon that Elsie Willinson found out one of those secrets and wants to tell someone,"Rose stated.

"You think it 's got to do with what they 're trying to do ?"Albus asked.

"I 'm sure it does."

"The exclusively job for them is that Jarrett 's on his own now,"Amanda said."With the other two in jail, what 's he going to do ?"

"You 're forgetting about Lubar,"Matt said darkly.

blush wine got up and started walking around the way."To be reliable, I do n't know how much he 's going to be involved, especially if this going to have shoes in Britain. Think about it, final year he had the excuse of the tourney to be here. He 's got no excuse this year. He 's a Ministry official. A horrid one, but still a Ministry official. It 's not in his best interest to be trying to bring back Voldemort."

"That did n't even work,"Albus cut in."They ca n't bring him back, even a ghost of him, with the Christ's Resurrection Stone."

"Jarret Willinson was a Ministry official,"matt pointed out.

"He was a secretary for the Obliviator berth. That 's a little dissimilar from a header position,"Rose explained."Lubar has Thomas More to lose."

"I say we try and figure out what Elsie 's keeping secret and I bet it 'll induce something to do with what Willinson is planning now. Because I guarantee he 's planning something,"Albus decided.

"How are we going to do that ?"Amanda asked."She 's always with Felix."

"Not when Rose is tutoring her."Albus turned to Rose."You think you could try and get her to open up ?"

"well she 's not going to just fare out and secern me. I can try, but it 'll require a spell,"pink wine said.
***


Albus told King John and Kaden about the conversation about Elsie later that night. John Lackland proclaimed that he knew something had been weird about that girl from the bit they had seen her at the beginning of the twelvemonth. Both male child agreed that they needed to discover out what it was she was keeping secret. Albus then asked them what prank they were planning, but whoremonger and Kaden mysteriously went quiet as soon as Albus brought the topic up.

Albus laid awake that night for a farsighted clip thinking about Elsie Willinson. He could not sway the trope of her with Felix and Malfoy in the get-go of the year from his mind. She had looked so cautious and innocent, far too innocent and young to be involved with anything like what her family unit was involved with. In fact, she reminded him a bit of Lily, although he was n't sure why since Lily was anything but timid.

Morning arrived shortly after Albus had fallen asleep and despite the fact that he 'd only gotten a few hours sleep, he got up around six and decided to get a bit of reading done in the common room. He knew he would n't be able to fall back asleep.

Upon arriving in the unwashed elbow room, Albus thought he was still dreaming. He rubbed his eyes and pinched himself to try and wake up, but it was no use. He was in fact awake. The double before his eyes was real number, and it was painful to look at.

The Gryffindor common room was no longer red and gold. It was now decked out in honey oil and silver gray. The comfy couches and chairwoman were gone and had been replaced instead with standard classroom chairwoman. respective banners were hung up in the elbow room that depicted Snake River. In fact, the Gryffindor common room now looked exactly as Albus imagined the Slytherin common room to look, except for it not being under the lake.

However, the sheer Slytherin-ness of the common room was not the weirdest variety, by a longsighted shot. The unusual new addition to the Gryffindor rough-cut elbow room was a grey and Theodore Harold White Capricorn the Goat. It was standing in the middle of the room, its forefront down and buried in a book. The thing about goats, though, was that they did not bask books the way people did. Goats ate book of account. This goat was currently munching on The criterion record book of go : Grade Two. Albus 's eyes drifted from the goat and around the room again, where he now noticed remainder of other record book, calamus, homework, and even a cloak.

The Capricorn the Goat looked up and stared at Albus. It let out a bleat and then went back to the book. Albus crept a footling penny-pinching and noticed that a preindication was affixed to the Goat. It said 'The Gryffindor Goat : Gryffindor 's new mascot. Gifted by the Slytherins. future time, think twice about putting chickens in our common room .'

Albus stood in the eye of the way, his stare alternating from the goat to the note and back again. A goat ? That did n't even piss any sense. Not only that, they were clearly trying to replicate Saint John and Kaden 's prank. And changing the elbow room into a Slytherin elbow room ? It was horrifying, absolutely horrifying.

Albus tore his eyes away from the goat and ran back up the coil staircase until he got to his own dormitory. He flicked on the lights and Ethan, the lightest sleeper of the bunch, rolled over and groaned.

"Everyone get up !"Albus shouted."Up, get up !"

"What ?"Ethan asked shortly."It 's like six in the morning !"

"I know it 's six in the morning !"Albus replied."Get up and go down to the common room. Now."

Ethan slowly got out of bed and went over to Bilius 's bed to get him up. Albus woke John Lackland up and then the two of them woke Matt up while Bilius and Ethan went down to the common elbow room. Their shouts of angriness could be heard all the way in the dormitory.

"What is it ?"John asked as he and Matt followed Albus back down the stairs.

"The Slytherins have had their revenge,"Albus said, handing John the billet.

Albus took a detour to the third year 's hall to get Kaden up. Kaden 's roommates got up as well and soon there was a large crew in the green room. By the time Albus entered the room again, the first, instant, and 6th old age were all there. The 7th and fifth years were right behind him.

The common room was in topsy-turvyness. Saint James, Cedric, and Nathan were inspecting the goat. The prefects were all congregated in one patch, clearly trying to cypher out what to do. A quarter of the scholarly person were standing frozen, with aspect of horror on their faces. Another quarter were laughing, despite the fact that the prank had happened in Gryffindor. Hugo was wrestling the goat for the transcript of the Standard Good Book of go : grad Two, which evidently was his.

The girls'dormitory door opened and all the Gryffindor daughter flooded out of it. rosiness and Amanda made their way over to Albus and the relaxation of the boys, who were receiving numerous stares and glares from their chap students. Clearly a few of them were blaming Albus and his champion for the Slytherins'need for retaliation.

"What in the gens of Merlin happened ?"Rose asked.

trick handed her the note."The Slytherins have had their revenge."

"Malfoy ?"Amanda asked.

"No way to fuck, is there ?"Albus replied.

"It 's got to be, though,"lavatory said."No one else hates us like he does."

"I bet a lot of Slytherins wanted revenge,"blush wine said.

"All right, subdued everyone !"Albus 's cousin-german, Mark, shouted over the crew. He was one of the sixth year Prefects."You 're all to get back up to your dormitories. I 'm going to get Professor Longbottom. Who 's the one who first saw this ?"

"I did,"Albus announced.

Deutsche Mark sighed, as if thinking he should have known."Al, stay down here. The repose of you, back up the stairs.

Rose handed Albus the note back and she and the ease of Albus 's protagonist turned to go back to their dormitories. There was a general muttering and whispers as everyone left. Soon, the common room was empty except for Albus, the stooge, and the six Prefects. Mark left in ordination to go get prof Longbottom.

The Prefects whispered amongst themselves while Mark was gone. Albus stood off to the side, as he did not know the Prefects very well. He recognized a few as Quaker of his full cousin.

Mark returned ten minutes later with Professor Longbottom in tow. The herbology prof froze in mid-step when he entered the room. His gaze shifted from the new furniture to the stooge to the banners and back to the goat.

"Albus discovered it,"Mark said.

Longbottom turned to Albus."And it looked like this when you found it ?"

"Mostly,"Albus answered."The goat had been chewing on one of Victor-Marie Hugo 's Book so he took that. And someone 's cloak had been here, but it was a Gryffindor cloak."

Longbottom sighed."All right, Albus, you can go back up to your dormitory."He turned to the Prefects."Let 's go through all this and see if we can bump any clues to envision out who it was."

Albus reluctantly went back up to his dormitory, where he found not only all of his roommates but Kaden as well, discussing the put-on. They all turned to Albus when he entered.

"Find anything out ?"John asked.

"Nope,"Albus answered."The Prefects are helping prof Longbottom go through everything for clues."

The boys whiled away the time until breakfast by trading Chocolate toad notice, playing rounds of Exploding centering, and discussing the Quidditch season. Matt fell back asleep after defending the Cannons to everyone else, but no one else was able to go back to bed.

fall guy knocked on their door a few 60 minutes later and told them they were unloose to get up and go to breakfast. Albus woke Matt up and the boys went back down to the unwashed room. It looked rule once more. All remnant of the Slytherins were gone and the goat was nowhere in raft. The classroom chairman had disappeared and the veritable comfy couches were back. Albus was relieved to see their common room back to its common res publica, although that did nothing to satisfy his curiosity about who had done it.

"wonder what they did with the Capricorn,"Kaden said as they walked down tot he Great Hall.

"Probably gave it to Aberforth,"flatness said.

"Aberforth ?"Kaden asked.

"Dumbledore 's brother. He owns the Hog 's Head in Hogsmeade. Keeps Goat in his pub. Weird bloke,"Matt answered.

"He keeps Capricorn ? In his pub ?"Kaden repeated."Do they just wander around ?"

"Yeah,"flatness said.

The Great Hall was populated only by Gryffindor scholar, which did not surprise Albus in the fragile given the early hr and the fact that it was William Ashley Sunday. The professors were all up having breakfast and were whispering amongst themselves. No uncertainty that Longbottom had told them about the prank. Slughorn in particular looked unsettle.

Rose convinced the rest period of the grouping that it would be a sound idea to head up to the depository library after breakfast to take advantage of the fact that it would be empty. Albus had a few essays that he 'd neglected and Saint John and Kaden needed to make up some new forecasting for Trelawney.

After a few hours of studying Albus felt his attention start to wander. The library had filled up since they had arrived and dame Pince was watching over the place like a war hawk. The doorway opened and Albus was surprised to see Elsie Willinson walk in, followed by her brother and Scorpius. Scorpius 's center met Albus 's and he veered from his little group in purchase order to waltz over to Albus.

"How 's your common room ?"he asked with a smirk.

"Is that a confession ?"Albus replied as he stood up.

"Of course of instruction not. It 's all over the school. Everyone knows that your rough-cut room looked like an telephone extension of mine this sunup. And that goat, I heard it ate a few Word of God. Serves you right after what you lot did to ours,"Malfoy said.

"We know you did it, Malfoy,"John said."Just waiting for the professors to rise it."

"If I did do it, and I 'm not saying I did, I would n't have left any evidence like you idiots obviously did."

"We did n't,"John said flatly."Albus confessed to save his cousin-german and sidekick who had been wrongly accused."

"How noble."Malfoy laughed.

"Just tell me one thing,"Albus said."How did you get into the green room ?"That was what had been bothering Albus the most. He and his ally had used the Invisibility Cloak to figure out the Slytherin password, but how had Malfoy done it ? As far as he knew he did not have an Invisibility Cloak.

"I did n't,"Malfoy said."And if I did I would n't tell you how I did it."With one Sir Thomas More glare at Albus, the Slytherin walked away towards the mesa that Felix and Elsie had found.

"How did he get into our commons room ?"Albus asked as he sat back down.

"No mind,"Matt said.

"I 'm betting he threatened a get-go year into telling him what it was,"privy said."Would n't put it past him."

"You do n't know it was him,"Amanda pointed out.

"They 're never going to get out who it was, either,"Rose said."Not unless they confess like you did. Otherwise no one would 've found out it was you."

"Guess it does n't really matter at this point."Albus sighed."They 've had their revenge."

"Which means it 's prison term for ours,"Kaden said as he grinned at John.

rosiness groaned."Really ? It 's just going to change state into a huge prank war if you have revenge."

"That 's the point in time,"Saint John the Apostle replied.

If toilet and Kaden were trying to come out a put-on war Albus did n't need any share of it. He had had decent detentions for a lifetime and did not hope outlay anymore of his Hogwarts vocation scrubbing john or doing telephone circuit. Albus sighed and returned to his reading. John the Evangelist and Kaden got up and left the library, presumably to work on their next japery.

Later that day at dinner prof Kendrick gave a very stern talking to to the integral school about breaking rules, especially the regulation about not entering mutual elbow room that were not yours. It was very similar to the lecture he gave after the chicken harlequinade, except this prison term Albus could tell that the headmaster was even more wild. Albus kept glancing at Malfoy during the delivery but the Slytherin boy did not see guilty at all. In fact he seemed disinterested in Kendrick 's speech.

The lecture of Gryffindor 's Goat ( as the clowning had now been dubbed ) died down by the eye of the week. virtually of the rook was excited about the upcoming Hogsmeade tripper and then the winter holidays. Professor Longbottom sent around a sign-up sheet for those students who wished to stick home during the holiday, although none of Albus 's supporter signed it.

"I 've always wondered what it would be like to stay,"John said as professor Longbottom passed by.

"Me too,"Albus agreed."But my parents already said I ca n't this class since there 's some big Ministry Christmas political party we 've got to go to. For the election and all."

"Saami here,"matt said."We 're not even going to Australia because of it."

"Wow, that 's the second twelvemonth in a row,"Albus replied.

lustrelessness nodded."My grandparents are coming here and then we 're visiting them over the summer."

"I think we should all stay next year,"Kaden said."Then I can go a whole school year without seeing my grandparents. Or aunty Marge."

Albus agreed that that was a good reason to stay at Hogwarts over the holiday."Yeah, that would be fun. My dad says the castle 's dandy at Christmas."

"It would be interesting to see what Christmas is like,"Amanda said. Amanda 's menage was Jewish and celebrated Feast of Lights.

"You 're receive to arrive to our grandparents'house for Noel this year,"Rose suggested.

Amanda grinned."I 'll ask my parents. I 'm for certain they 'll say yes since Hanukkah was early this year and I 've already missed it anyway."

"Rose, you 've got post,"Albus said, gesturing to Rose 's kinsfolk 's owl, which had just landed on the table.

"Oh, good !"blush wine said as she ripped open the varsity letter. She scanned it for a moment before smiling widely."I wo n't be going to Hogsmeade with you."

"You wo n't be ?"Albus gave her a quizzical look.

"No. Mum and Dad are taking me to the debate that 's that day. I owled them a few twenty-four hour period ago to see if I could go and they said yes !"

"You want to go to another one ?"lav asked.

"I 'd go to all of them if I could. They 're just so fascinating."She scanned the letter of the alphabet again."I 'm supposed to to to Kendrick 's work at ten on Sabbatum to floo home."

"What 's this one on ?"Albus asked.

"Law enforcement. The Auror section. How it 's run and and how trials are run. I think it 's going to be the most interesting one since both Uncle Percy and Laurentis have already hinted at their views on that topic."

That was for certain. This debate would probably be even more explosive than the one on education."You 'll consume to let us know all the point,"Albus said.

"Oh I will,"pink wine replied."It 's why I wanted to go. I 'd rather not get a line everything second mitt from the Prophet."

She had a distributor point there, Albus thought. Although he was beaming that rose wine was the one going and not him. As much as he thought the election was interesting, he 'd rather be in Hogsmeade with his friends than sitting in a courtroom listening to pol all day.


A/N : Thanks to everyone who has read and reviewed this so far ! I 'm almost done with schooltime ( forever ! ) so I 'm hoping to update Thomas More often.


The week leading up to the Hogsmeade trip dragged by very slowly. Albus was sealed that Wednesday in item was at least twice as long as a rule day and by the clock time Friday finally decided to make an appearance Albus was trusted he would go insane from all the homework he had to complete. Tuesday had been the full moon, but luckily mat left the infirmary wing Th good afternoon and had been cleared by ma'am Pomfrey to go to Hogsmeade.

When Saturday arrived there was a welcomed break in the rash that had blanketed the Hogwarts grounds in two feet of nose candy. Albus and his protagonist slept late and by the sentence they woke up rose wine had already left to go to that day 's debate. Albus, lustrelessness, and John quickly dressed and met Kaden and Amanda in the commons room.

Fred accosted Albus as he was about to leave."Albus ! Glad I found you. I booked the pitch for today at three since there 's a happy chance in the storm."

"But Fred, it 's Hogsmeade today,"Albus pointed out. As practically as he loved Quidditch, Hogsmeade trips were rare social occasion and he had Christmastide shopping to do.

"Exactly !"Fred exclaimed."So none of the other team have booked the pitch. It 's booked solid the rest of the week and we need another practice in before intermit starts."

Albus sighed. Fred was right, of line. He glanced at his watch. It was noon, so if they hurried through tiffin he would still birth a good two hours in the village."All right. I 'll see you at three."

"Excellent,"Fred said."Just have to find James ...."

Amanda snorted and started laughing. Fred, who had turned to entrust, stopped and looked back at her."What ?"

Albus, John, matt, and Kaden also looked questioningly at Amanda.

"Oh, I guess I forgot to narrate you,"Amanda began."pink wine and I were in the subroutine library last week and overheard James asking some Hufflepuff fifth yr out. They 're going to Hogsmeade together today."

Fred burst out laughing."wait, James has a particular date ?"

"James asked a girlfriend out in the program library ?"Albus joined Fred in his laughter.

"Do n't assure him that rosebush and I overheard him,"Amanda said."He 'd murder us if he knew it was us who told."

"Bet he 's already in Hogsmeade, then,"Fred said, still laughing."They honest not be in Madam Puddifoot 's because I do n't fancy going in there to tell him about practice."

Albus was still laughing about the idea of Saint James asking a girl out in the depository library of all station. He wondered who the Hufflepuff was. Maybe he 'd manage to catch a coup d'oeil of them in Hogsmeade together.

"He 's not actually going to exit her to go to Quidditch recitation,"Amanda shouted after Fred as he left the common room.

"He will if the engagement 's going poorly,"Fred shouted back and disappeared into the corridor.

"wellspring let 's hurry up and get to Hogsmeade,"Albus said."I want to see if I can figure out who this girl is."

Albus hurried out of the common room followed by his friends. They ate a very pelt along luncheon in the Great Granville Stanley Hall and then ran outside and down the path to Hogsmeade. As they neared the village Albus kept his optic peeled for his brother.

"Where to first ?"Matt asked.

"Weasleys',"toilet and Kaden said together.

Albus and Matt shared a coup d'oeil. They should have known. They followed John and Kaden as the two implike boy led the way to Weasleys'wizard Wheezes.

The store was packed to capacity as it always was on Hogsmeade weekends. Albus waved to his Uncle George who was behind the buffet ringing people up as fast as the till would let him. Teddy was working that weekend and was restocking a shelf of Skiving Snackboxes. John and Kaden each grabbed two as the boy passed.

Albus grabbed a few Extendable auricle as his seemed to give disappeared and a box of Deluxe Whizbangs for James for Christmas. He joined the long queue at the boulder clay and was joined by John the Divine and Kaden who each had branch overflowing with merchandise. lustrelessness and Amanda were n't buying anything and were playing with a few Pygmy pouf that were in a cage in the forepart of the store.

"Neither of you have seen James, have you ?"Albus asked.

"Nope,"John said."Bet they 're at the Three Broomsticks."

"Or that place that Fred mentioned. Madam whatever ?"Kaden put in.

"Madam Puddifoot 's,"Albus said."Horrifying place. Covered in frilly things, and knock stuff."

"Let 's not go there,"Kaden said.

Albus and John both agreed. They would reckon for James I, just not at Madam Puddifoot 's. The queue moved relatively quickly and soon Albus, whoremonger, and Kaden had their supplies.

The next plosive consonant was Honeyduke 's where everyone stocked up on candy and Albus bought a Christmas nowadays for Lily. Then they made their way to the Quaffle Shop and then the Three broom handle. Albus had yet to see James, but his time was quickly running out. He had a one-half hour before he had to head back to the castle for Quidditch practice.

trick went to the bar to get five Butterbeers while the rest of the radical found a table. Luckily Scorpius Malfoy was nowhere in sight. Albus gazed around the bar until he spotted his brother 's familiar spirit red hair. Unfortunately the little girl he was with was facing away from Albus 's table so all he knew was that she had very long, very uncoiled brown hair.

"There they are,"Albus whispered to lusterlessness, Kaden, and Amanda."Any of you know who the girl is ?"

"That 's Gabby Ellis,"trick said as he returned with the Butterbeers."My cousin knows her. She 's one of the 5th year prefects."

"Wait, so Henry James not only asked her out in the library, but she 's also a prefect ?"Albus exclaimed.

"Guess so."John shrugged."I 'll never ask out a prefect. Now he 's going to have to watch his step."

"You realize that there 's a safe chance one of us might be a prefect next class,"Amanda pointed out.

"Nah, they 'll find fault Bilius or Ethan,"John said."They 'd never nibble me, Al, or Matt after that prank."

"fountainhead Rose is obviously going to be a prefect,"Amanda said.

"We 'll just have to sneak around more next yr,"John said."Ca n't have a prefect knowing about our pranks."

"Dervish and Banges is still unoccupied,"flatness said, changing the subject."Do n't you think that 's kind of odd ?"

Albus had n't really thought about it."Yeah, but no one 's going to want to buy a shop where mortal was murdered."

"Still, it 's just unknown,"lusterlessness said as he sipped his Butterbeer.

"someone might still own it,"Amanda pointed out."They might not desire to do anything with it or sell it."

"conjecture that 's a good point,"mat said.

"Look, James IV and the female child are getting up,"Kaden said.

Albus turned and saw that James was indeed rising from his chairman. Gabby did as well and the two of them walked slope by incline out of the pub. Gabby was pretty, Albus had to acknowledge. Her centre were smart and her cheeks were pink. James was grinning. Neither of them noticed Albus or the others on their way out the door.

"Think he 'll show to Quidditch practice ?"John asked.

"If he values his life,"Albus replied."speaking of that, I should probably get going."

Albus said so long to his friends and headed back out into the cold. The sun was out and there was no wind, but it was still bitingly low temperature. He trudged his way through the nose candy and game up to the castle, where he ran up to Gryffindor towboat to throw off his leverage and variety into his Quidditch robes.

The quietus of the team was already on the pitch when Albus arrived. Fred was arguing with James about something while the rest of the squad stood off to the incline.

"She 's not even on their team !"Jesse James shouted."She 's not going to slip any of our plays."

"But she 's still a Hufflepuff and this is a closed practice !"Fred argued.

Albus glanced over to the outdoor stage and saw Gabby sitting there, wrapped in a very large Hufflepuff mantle. She smiled and waved at Albus, who gave a slight moving ridge back.

"I could n't just leave her. I promised we 'd pass the day together."

"And she wants to watch you act as Quidditch ?"Fred asked."amercement, mulct. She can stay. Let 's just get going. We 're wasting time."

Fred and Saint James joined the sleep of the group."All right !"Fred shouted."Let 's fly around the pitch a few times to get warm up up."

Albus mounted his heather and soared into the air. He joined the eternal rest of the team in their flight around the pitch shot and lost himself in flying. It was courteous to just fly and bury about everything else that was on his nous.

The practice session went incredibly well. It was their in force practice in week since the weather was cooperating. The Gryffindor squad did not cause any issues with playacting, but the conditions was usually atrocious whenever they practiced. Fred insisted this was a estimable thing since it would help them learn how to encounter in catch with bad conditions but no one else agreed. Albus was very happy to have got a practice where the term were saint. It made Quidditch so much more enjoyable.

James and Gabby hurried off as soon as practice ended and the repose of the team walked back to the palace together. They were nearly back to Gryffindor tug when rose, Matt, John, Kaden, and Amanda came running towards Albus, all five looking slightly terrified.

"What 's incorrectly ?"Fred asked.

"It 's aught,"blush wine said."We just require to talk to Albus."

"Meet us in the room after you stash your broom,"flatness whispered and the five of them hurried off.

Albus hurried into the common room and up to his dorm room. He had absolutely no idea what was going on, but it must accept just had to do with his protagonist because everyone else in the common room was acting normally. Albus quickly put his broom away and ran back out to the corridor.

It did n't take him long to reach the Marauder 's Den. All his champion were sitting quietly and looked up at him when he entered.

"What in the name of merlin is going on ?"Albus asked.

"Two thing,"rose wine began."One, the debate. It was ... well ... insane is the only word to describe it, really. And two, I 'll let everyone else explain that first."

"Malfoy was lurking near the screech Shack,"flatness said."After you went to Quidditch practice we walked around the Village and noticed him. It looked like he was trying to get in."

"Did he ?"Albus asked.

"No, he ca n't,"Matt said."There 's Montgomery Ward. It 's just odd. He was alone."

"Energy Department he know that that 's where you go ?"Albus replied as he sat down next to Rose.

mat shook his chief."I 'm not really care about it, either. It 's just very weird."

"Malfoy is admirer with Felix Willinson so anything weird that he does needs to be remembered,"Albus said darkly.

"That 's what I said,"John replied.

"He 's not the maiden one to be curious about the screech shanty,"matt pointed out.

This was unlike, Albus thought. He would birth expected Matt to be the one worried about this, not John.

"But he 's Malfoy ! It 's not goodness that he 's trying to get in,"John said.

"Well he ca n't get in. And he already knows what I am,"Matt countered."Let 's just block about it for now. What rose wine has to say is far worse."

Albus turned to look at Rose, who looked upset and slightly scared. That was strange in itself since Albus could hardly commemorate a time when Rose was scared.

"The argument was on law enforcement,"Rose said quietly."She wants to completely deepen the department of Magical Law Enforcement. She wants to investigate every single Auror and reorganize the department because she does n't think things are working as they are. She ... well ... she basically called your dad incompetent."

Albus stared at his full cousin. He could not believe what he was hearing. Albus 's dad had been in charge of the Auror department for years and there had never been any ill. How could Laurentis just diss him like that ?

"Which means she 's going to lose,"whoremonger said confidently."No one 's going to vote for someone who insults Harry Potter."

"No,"Rose whispered."They will. There 's been editorial in the Prophet for hebdomad about how the electric current Ministry is n't working. She has support."

"That 's insane,"Albus said."What did Uncle Walker Percy do ?"

"Argued with her,"Rose said."Talked about all the good your dad has done, but she argued right back."

"What about everyone there ? Did they clap for her ?"Albus asked.

"Everyone clapped for everyone. They were all polite about it and there was no way to tell who supported who,"blush wine said."If you ask me, I think she 's going to supersede all the Heads of departments who do n't consort with her. She 's going to want people in power who are on her side."

"Which means my dad will be gone,"Albus said."Everyone knows he supports Uncle Percy. It 's obvious."

"So that leaves what, Matt 's dad 's job, Head of Magical Law Enforcement, Head of Magical exile, and what else ?"can asked as he counted on his fingers."There 's got to be more."

"There are,"Rose said as she stood up and began pacing around the room."International Magical Cooperation, Magical stroke and cataclysm, Magical game and Sports, and then the section of Mysteries."

"Do you know anything about the head of those departments ?"John asked.

"The dame who 's school principal of Magical Law Enforcement was here during the argumentation. She 's really old and Dad says Mum is a shoe-in for her job when she retires,"Rose said."But I do n't bed much about the others. The blighter in charge of Magical Transportation moderated the foremost debate."

"That 's eight location,"flatness said quietly,"and she could supplant all of them. That would nose up being an entirely new Ministry."

"Essentially, yes,"Rose said as she sank into an armchair."That 's why it 's so bad. There 's a reason most newly elected government minister do n't replace everyone. It 's too a great deal turbulence. But if she wants immediate change, it would be the easiest way to get it done."

"What 's the future debate on ?"Amanda asked.

"Azkaban,"pink wine said."Originally they were going to moot Azkaban with law enforcement, but Laurnetis requested a break up Azkaban debate. She 's in care of it, so I 'm not surprised."

"And when is it ?"Amanda replied.

"Just after the new year,"Rose answered."Once we 're all back in schooling. Then February 's argument is on magical creatures-"

"Oh that 's going to be good,"flatness said."Guess that 's when we 'll line up out if my dad keeps his job after the election if she wins."

"And then in March they debate International Magical Cooperation. Then it 's the election at the root of April,"pink wine continued."That one is going to take station here. So is the Azkaban one."

"I still do n't think anyone 's going to vote for her,"whoremonger muttered."Anyone who sacks Harry ceramicist would n't get enough votes."

"You 'd be surprised, John,"Amanda said."It sounds like she 's playing to everyone 's veneration. I mean, I have n't been in the magical world long, but it seems like everyone fears another Voldemort. If she makes it seem like the current Ministry and Auror department are too lenient and mite at the possibility of another war, and then claims that she could squash it before it became a war, she would easily get the vote. People are easily persuaded."

"That 's exactly it,"pink wine agreed.

The room descended into uncomfortable silence. At the kickoff of the school year, none of them had much interest in the election or the Ministry in universal, but now, just a few month later, Albus and his Quaker were learning just how much the resultant of the election would pretend them. The possible action of drastic changes to both Hogwarts and the wizarding world did not sit well with Albus, especially if it meant both his and Matt 's pappa were out of a job.
***


The remaining calendar week of school went by quickly. With the looming holiday and break from school, hardly anyone in the castle was focusing on prep or the election. Instead, the chatter that filled the Great hallway during meals was about Christmas and snowball fight and spending time with family unit. Albus was sucked into the Christmastide cheer as well, but the election was still on the back of his mind.

For Albus, Rose, and the rest of the Weasley/Potter kin group, the Christmas vacation would be wrapped up in the election. A New class 's political party at the Minister 's hall was scheduled for New yr 's Eve, for all of the high-ranking officials and their families, as well as Walker Percy, Laurentis, and their families. All of Albus 's draw out family would be attending. But perhaps the most bizarre expression of the holidays was the fact that Uncle Percy was going to reserve a reporter from Wizards powder store to surveil him for not only the Ministry party, but Christmas at the Burrow as well.

"This is just weird !"Cedric exclaimed at breakfast the last day of condition."A reporter ? At the tunnel ? And it says she 's going to be staying with us."

Cedric handed the letter back to Bradley, whom it had been addressed to. Bradley pulled out his baton and burned it, which seemed to be his new way of dealing with position from his father.

"Did Gran correspond to this ?"James asked as he loaded his plate with bacon.

"She must 've,"Bradley said."Anything to get Dad elected, probably."

"I form of agree with her,"Albus said."I do n't want that Laurentis woman to win."

"Neither do I, but I do n't want some newsperson staying with us at the burrow,"Cedric said adamantly.

"speculation you wo n't be getting the literal Weasley Yuletide experience,"Albus said to Amanda, whose parents had given permit to continue with rosebush for Christmas.

Amanda shrugged."Not a big mass. With your family, it 's bound to be interesting."

"You have no estimation,"Albus said."We 'd better get to account of Magic."

Albus got up and his protagonist followed. Despite the fact that it was the terminal day of full term, prof Binns still gave a speech. Nobody paid him an snow leopard of attention. The rest of the prof did n't bother teaching any new material as they figured the students would just forget it over the rupture. professor Cedonia set them a pragmatic example, but did n't scold them when they stopped charming their teacupful to dance and instead talked about Yuletide. Hagrid had a boastfully bonfire going to keep them warm, but did n't learn anything. Instead, he told the story of Norberta and bawled about how much he missed her. In Ancient Runes, there was an exam.

The following morning Albus and his booster climbed aboard the Hogwarts expressage for the trip-up back to London. On the Hogwarts expressage, Albus felt weirdly immune to everything that was happening in the wizarding creation. He felt safe from Jarrett Willinson and somehow the election did n't seem as big a deal. The train was like its own small Earth with solitary students and dessert from the streetcar ; on the railroad train, goose egg bad could happen.


Long hiatus ! I apologize for that. I am now working on this for the bit half of June 's Camp NaNoWriMo, so I 'm hoping to get a bunch of chapters written so I can go back to weekly updates. Thanks so much for all the reviews !


"Remember, do n't say anything in straw man of her you do n't want printed in the clause,"Harry said as they walked toward the Burrow.

"testament she really publish anything ?"Lily asked.

"Yes,"Harry said.

It was Christmas Eve and Albus and the quietus of the ceramicist had just Apparated to the field behind the Burrow. Albus was a bit nervous about being in the front of a reporter from necromancer magazine and was not at all discriminating about being in an article. He was relieved they were late, as usual, because by now the reporter would probably be involved in listening to somebody else 's conversation and might not even poster Albus.

"And James, do n't even think about slipping something into her soup,"Ginny said sternly.

Harry, who had just put his hired man on the doorhandle, turned around and stared at Jesse James."Seriously, James, absolutely not."

"I was n't going to !"James said."I swear !"

Harry sighed."Empty your pockets."

"But I was n't going to-"

"James Sirius ceramicist, listen to your male parent,"Ginny said.

Albus put his hand over his sassing to enshroud his laughter while his brother pulled a handful of Ton-Tongue brittle and a vial of Weasleys'Itchiest Itching Powder out of his pocket. Ginny took them and incinerated them with her wand. She brushed the ash onto the ground and James stared at it longingly.

"Shut up, Albus,"James muttered as Harry opened the door.

That just made Albus laugh even harder, earning him a poke in the berm from James IV. Albus returned the clout while Lily rolled her eyes.

"male child, cut it out,"Ginny scolded.

"Ginny ! Harry !"Molly exclaimed as they stepped inside."well-chosen Christmas !"

"Happy Yuletide, Mum,"Ginny said as the two hugged.

Albus slipped past after giving his grandmother a immediate hug, grabbing a handful of biscuits on his way to the den. The first off thing he noticed was that the reporter was sitting on a stool in the corner. She stuck out like a Weasley at a Malfoy gathering, in her black-market dame, flowery top, high-heeled shoes. Who wore cad to the burrow ? Weird, Albus thought. Her jet-black hair was done up in some sort of bun and her lips were smeared with smart red lipstick.

The second thing Albus noticed was just how light the burrow was. He had n't noticed it in the kitchen, what with the many pile and knockout full of lovesome, steaming nutrient, but out in the den, it was very detectable. The Burrow was never dirty, exactly, but it was n't immaculately refined like Matt and Kaden 's houses were. Instead it merely looked lived in, Albus always thought. It was cluttered with piles of books and stacks of circuit card biz and versatile Muggle and witching twist. cover and pillows were thrown haphazardly onto couch and chair, never being folded or stacked neatly. But today, everything was neat. The stacks of books had been shelved and the blankets folded. The sheer total of stuff and nonsense seemed to take been moved or vanished because Albus did n't see a single Muggle electronic gimmick half-taken apart on the floor or tabular array. It was bizarre. The Burrow did n't seem like the burrow without its welter. You never knew what you 'd happen at the tunnel and Albus liked that.

Shaking his head slightly, Albus carefully stepped around a few of his cousins and walked over to where Rose and Amanda were sitting on the floor. They had a boastfully disc of food in front of them, making Albus realize how hungry he was.

"So, what have I missed ?"he asked in between collation of roll."I see person cleaned."

"Gran did. Said she wanted to make a good impression. Uncle Percy 's been bragging loudly to the newsperson about all the Torah he 's help oneself whirl,"blush wine said."But all the reporter wants to do is interview the rest of us. I guess her clause is all about where Uncle Sir Henry Percy came from and what his kin is like."

"Who 's she talked to so far ?"Albus asked.

"aunty Corrine, grannie, granddad, Uncle Bill, Uncle Fred, both of my parents, Victoire, Samantha, and Lindy,"Rose said.

"Wow. Already ?"

"She has n't wasted any time,"Amanda said.

"There 's a photographer around here somewhere,"Rose said as she glanced around the room."Oh there he is."

rose wine indicated to the step, where Percy was leading a scrawny feller back into the den.

"Is he wearing-"

"Dress drape ?"pink wine said."Yeah, he 's been wearing them all night."

"Let 's get a few crack of you playing a plot with the Gemini the Twins,"the photographer said as he and Percy walked past Albus, Rose, and Amanda.

"Wonderful theme !"the reporter exclaimed as she hopped off her stool.

"How did she get a line that ?"Albus whispered to Rose.

"Harry Potter 's son !"the reporter said as she grabbed Albus 's arm, causing him to cut down the biscuit he was holding."Let 's get him in the shot, too. Hmm ..."she glanced around the room, her eyes finally coming to rest on Amanda."We 'll want a jibe with you and Sir Henry Percy as well. Candidate plays Exploding Snap with the Prime minister of religion 's niece ! Perfect ! I could not take planned this better."

"How did she know that I 'm the Prime Minister 's niece ?"Amanda asked.

"She knows everything,"rosebush said darkly."Creepy, really."

Albus soon found himself playing a staged game of Exploding Snap with Uncle Percy, Samantha, and lindy hop. The whole affair was very ridiculous since none of them were photographed with ash on their faces. Then it was Amanda 's twist, but she was posed with a set of ace 's Chess,"for variety."

"Now that 's something Laurentis wo n't possess,"Sir Henry Percy said jovially after the lensman finished."Photograph with the bloom government minister 's niece."

"But nonentity knows I 'm the Prime Minister 's niece,"Amanda said once she, Rose, and Albus escaped into the kitchen."It 's supposed to be a secret."

"Maybe it wo n't get printed,"Albus said.

"God, I hope not,"Amanda muttered."So is this what Christmas Eve is usually like ?"

"Mostly,"Albus said as he walked over to the doorway. He peered into the den and took stock of what his family was up to.

His uncles Fred, Ron, vizor, and Charlie, were closest to the kitchen and were singing 'Odo the Hero .'All four had mugs of eggnog in hired man. Gran was listening to Celestina Warbeck while aunty Fleur glared at the radio. It seemed to be distracting her from the conversation she was having with auntie Katherine and Aunt Hermione. Most of his cousins were eating or laughing about one affair or another. Samantha and Lindy were playing Exploding Snap for real now, along with Eddie and Angie.

In fact, the lonesome one who seemed to be acting any differently was Uncle Percy, who was talking with the reporter and the photographer. aunty Corrine was as well, but none of their older tyke were anywhere in sight.

"rich person you seen Bradley, Cedric, or Georgia anywhere ?"Albus asked Rose.

"Actually, no,"Rose said."Let 's go rule them."

Albus and Amanda followed Rose out of the kitchen and up the step. As they peered into each sleeping room, Albus found out just where his granny had stored all the stuff that used to be in the den. Every single way had a pile of random stuff in it. They eventually found their three cousins hiding out in Uncle Ron 's old sleeping accommodation at the top of the house. They were sitting on one of the beds and were deep in conversation.

"What 's going on in here ?"Albus asked as they shut the door.

All three startled, but then seemed relieved to get hold it was only Albus, Rose, and Amanda.

"We 're avoiding the reporter,"GA said,"and talking about how much it will suck if Dad gets elected."

"But Laurentis is bloody insane,"Albus said as he stepped over a typewriter and sat down on the opposite bed."Uncle Harry Hotspur has to win."

"well, I do n't want him to,"Bradley said."Do you pull in how much spirit will interchange if he does ?"

"I 've got a bit of an estimation,"Amanda said, sitting down side by side to Albus. blush wine sat on his other side.

"Before his effort started no one really knew what Dad did,"Bradley said."Or even who he was. I mean, if they heard his name they would live him, but he was just Percy Weasley. Do you know what I mean ?"

"He 'll be Percy Weasley, Minister of conjuring trick. Not just Percy Weasley, your dad,"Amanda said."Minister is n't a just a job. It 's not something he 'll leave at the office at five. It 's more a lifestyle."

"Exactly !"Thomas Bradley agreed.

"And you 'll always be the Minister 's son,"Amanda said.

"How do you live all this ?"Cedric looked at Amanda strangely.

"My Uncle 's the bloom minister of religion,"Amanda said casually.

"Of Britain ?"Bradley exclaimed."And you 've kept this privy for four days ?"

"Yeah. It wo n't be for often longer since that photographer just took a picture of me with your dad,"Amanda said."Anyway, you 're right that your living wo n't be the same if he gets elected. And even after his term is up you 'll still always be the minister of religion 's son."

"And we 'd have to move into the Minister 's sign of the zodiac,"Bradley said.

"You would n't. You 're going to graduate in June,"Cedric pointed out."And Georgia already moved out."

"You 'll be in Hogwarts most of the year,"Georgia pointed out.

There was a belt on the doorway and then it swung wide loose. Percy stood in the door flanked by the reporter and photographer. Percy had changed out of his robes and was now wearing a green Weasley pinafore with a red'P'on the front. In his arms was a stack of what appeared to be More Weasley jumpers.

"There you lot are,"Walker Percy said."We 're doing a picture of the whole kinfolk in our jumpers."He tossed one to each of his children and then one each to Albus and Rose."Get changed and get downstairs."

"Are they all initial jumper this twelvemonth ?"Empire State of the South asked as she held hers up. It was grey with a purple'G .'

"Must be,"Albus said as he yanked off the jumper he was wearing and pulled on his new one. It was dreary with a gold'A .'

"Bet it 's to realise us look like a cheesy kin,"Omar Nelson Bradley muttered as he changed.

Once they 'd all changed Albus and Rose followed their first cousin back down to the den. Amanda followed as well, but she lingered on the step, clearly not wanting to be dragged into anymore photographs.

Albus 's total category was posed in half the den. The photographer was running around making small accommodation, which Albus thought process was pointless. There was no way he was going to get thirty-two people to all looking at at the camera and smile nicely at the same metre.

The photographer noticed Albus, Rose, Georgia, Bradley, and Cedric and shoved Albus in between James and Lily, who were sitting right in the midsection, on the floor.

"Lovely !"the photographer exclaimed a few mo later. He ran to the other side of the room and stuck his head behind the camera."Everyone grinning ! Beautiful !"He took dozens of pictures and Albus soon grew tired of sitting still and smiling.

"Wonderful !"the newsman shouted once the photographer finally finished."I think we 've got what we need. I wish you all a well-chosen Christmas. The article should be out just after New Year's."

"I thought she was staying for tomorrow, too,"Albus whispered to Rose.

blush wine shrugged."Maybe she got enough from just one Nox. Either that or she got overwhelmed."

Walker Percy walked the reporter and photographer out of the Burrow, thanking them profusely as he did so.

"Bedtime, everyone !"Molly shouted.

No one objected. It had certainly been the strangest Christmas Eve gathering the Weasley family had ever had and Albus was very much looking forward to tomorrow, when things would get back to some semblance of normal. Albus walked up to bed with rosiness and Amanda, wishing them both good Nox when they reached Uncle Charlie 's old bedroom, where the two would be staying. James I, Ben, Cedric, and Bradley were already in Uncle Ron 's old room when Albus arrived.

"Quidditch tomorrow ?"James asked as all four boys climbed into their beds.

"You 're going down, Potter,"Tom Bradley replied.

"Is that a challenge, Weasley ?"

"Sure is,"Tom Bradley said.

Yes, tomorrow would be a lot Thomas More pattern, Albus thought. Quidditch was a Christmas custom for his family and nothing, even his uncle running for Minister, was going to prevent it.
***


"And that 's how we do it in Kenmare !"Georgia exclaimed, having just saved a finish by spinning in midair and hitting the Quaffle back into play by the end of her broom."Kenmare Krazy steward move !"

"You 're still going to lose !"Thomas Bradley shouted as he hit one of the Bludgers toward Albus, who dodged it and caught the Quaffle."We 've got Teddy !"

"If shift were a real quester he 'd be playing for a conference team and not studying to be an Auror !"Georgia shouted back.

"He 's still not as good as James,"Omar Nelson Bradley said.

"Yeah, I taught James everything he knows !"chemise said as he flew past, heading toward Empire State of the South 's go forth goal Emily Price Post."And that 's secret plan !"he shouted, returning with the fink clutched in his hand."Aurors have to stimulate constant alertness, just like Seekers."

Albus flew to the ground, still holding the Quaffle. It had been a upright game, even though his team had lost, but the temperature was dropping and the cloud were rolling in. It was a salutary time to steer back inside for Christmas dinner, especially since the odor of knock joker and potatoes had been drifting outside for the preceding half 60 minutes.

tabular array, already covered in numerous dish aerial of food, had been set up in the kitchen extending into the den while they played. Albus hurried on a higher floor to change and when he returned, everyone was drifting toward the board. Albus hurried to the nates Rose and Amanda had saved him, which thankfully was nowhere near Percy.

"How was Quidditch ?"rose wine asked.

"Good,"Albus said."We lost, but shift 's pretty much unbeatable, so I was n't surprised."

"I 'm surprised he did n't play professionally,"Amanda said.

"He thought about it,"Albus explained."And he had go, but he deferred them for a year because he was n't sure. Then he just decided to link up the Auror Academy, because of his parents, you know."

"Makes sense,"Amanda said.

"I 'd like to hit a toast,"Percy announced after everyone was seated. He held up his glass of pumpkin juice."I just want to say thank you, to all of you, for putting up with the reporter yesterday, and for everything you 've done for the campaign. We only have three calendar month to go, so let 's make the nearly of it. celebrate up all the great oeuvre. Here 's to a win in April !"

Albus clinked glasses with Rose and Amanda and then served himself a turgid helping of turkey. This was what he enjoyed the most about Dec 25 at the burrow. As he he ate, he listened in on the conversations his cousins, aunts, and uncles were having.

To Albus 's left, his aunt Hermione was giving Henry James, Cedric, and Ben study tips for their O.W.L.s. The boys were nodding as if they were listening, but Albus knew they were n't. Victoire and Teddy were holding custody under the table, which was kind of funny because Victoire was having to eat with her left hand, a skill she clearly did not possess. James, Bradley, and Empire State of the South were discussing Quidditch with Uncles St. George and Ron. Eddie was showing the twin, Lily, and Hugo just how many pea he could fit into his mouth at once. Percy was, of course, discussing the gamey details of his campaign with his married woman and parents. Fred and Mark were telling Angie about the secret passageway that lead into the basement of Honeyduke 's. The ease of his household was too far away for Albus to hear what exactly they were saying, but everyone seemed happy.

"This is what it 's really similar,"Albus told Amanda."Usually there are a few pranks."

"You missed one in the first place,"Rose said while Amanda laughed."James put one of those wind-up Pygmy Puffs in Gran 's grown pot, so while she was chopping vegetables it jumped out and started screeching. auntie Ginny knew it was St. James, too. He got chewed out while you were up the stairs changing."

"She had no proof !"James cut in."It could have been Cedric."

"But it was n't,"Rose said."It was you."

"James, did you hear me ?"Hermione asked."I was just saying how you need to originate with your decrepit subjugate first. Honestly, you should 've started preparing end year. Albus, Rose, Amanda, are you listening ? You should protrude rescript now."

"I started weeks ago, Mum,"rose said.

Hermione smiled."That 's my girl."

"She 'll be lucky if James IV starts revising a month before,"Albus whispered to Amanda.

"That would be stupid,"rosebush said."What does he want to do after Hogwarts ? He 'll need certain O.W.L.s to get into the decently N.E.W.T. classes."

"He 's got no idea,"Albus said,"except he wants to play Quidditch."

"He 'd meliorate get going,"Rose said.

"Oh, and I suppose you 've got it all figured out, pink wine ?"James asked.

"As a matter of fact, I 'm thinking of getting into psychopathology,"Rose said."Get my healing level, specializing in psychiatry."

"Fine, then,"James muttered.

"Really ?"Albus asked.

rosiness nodded."I 've been thinking about it since summertime and it 's really wishing I want to do."

"Do n't you think you 're a bit Young to have decided that ?"Albus asked.

"lustrelessness 's baby had it all figured out in quartern year and feeling where she is now,"blush wine pointed out.

She did have a stop there, Albus thought. mat 's sister was well on her way to getting both her healing and brewing academic degree, with only two and a half more eld to go. Albus did n't even want to think about what he would do after he graduated from Hogwarts. It was too far away.

"I have an proclamation to hold !"Gabriella said as she stood up.

The elbow room quieted and everyone turned to look at Gabriella. She was n't usually one to earn speeches or announcement during menage dinner. In fact, she was one of the quieter of Albus 's cousins, certainly not coming near to the level of boisterousness of Omar Bradley, King James, or Empire State of the South.

"Thanks,"she said."None of you know this yet, since I figured I 'd just say you all at once today. I 've decided to move to France."

The elbow room was silent, much like it was after Harry Hotspur announced his intent to run for Minister at the before school dinner. Then, as happened after Sir Henry Percy 's announcement, everyone began to talk at once.

"You 're what ?"posting exclaimed.

"Gabriella, honey !"Fleur shouted, dropping her glass of wine."What prompted this ?"

"The political mood in France is very unsteady,"Percy said."I would n't recommend moving there."

"What are you going to do there ?"Heather asked.

Albus was n't at all surprised. Gabriella had spent a few hebdomad in French Republic that fall and seemed to enjoy it. He was n't sure why her parents seemed so surprised.

"If everyone could just let me talk !"Gabriella shouted. The room quieted one more."I 've already cleared it with Grandmere and Grandpere. They 're going to let me continue with them until I get on my substructure. When I painted there this free fall it just felt so mightily. My picture there were so much salutary than the ones I 've painted here-"

"But what will you do for money ?"broadsheet asked."You know I could still get you that internship. This is crazy."

"Dad, it 's what I want to do. I do n't want to spend everyday in an office and miss out on life. No offense. Painting is what I love. I want to try this."

"But Gabriella, it 's not practical-"flier began.

"greenback,"Molly said quietly."She 's just rebelling a bit. You did the same when you were her age. commemorate the earring ? The hair ?"

Bill 's face reddened."It 's not the same, Mum. I had a job. I was n't learning the finer decimal point of being a starving artist !"

"Dad ! I 'm a ripe creative person ! I 'm not going to famish !"

"You know my parents would never let her thirst,"Fleur said.

"That 's not the point in time. The point is that she should be doing something productive. When Victoire was her age-"

"I 'm not Victoire !"Gabriella exclaimed. She turned and left the elbow room, running up the stairs. A few moments later a door slammed.

Bill made to get up, but Victoire put her mitt on his shoulder joint, forcing him back into his seat."Dad, I 'll go."

The room lapsed into uncomfortable secretiveness after Victoire took off after her sister. Albus was slightly shocked at his uncle 's dislike of Gabriella 's plan. Albus had always thought of account as his cool uncle, the uncle who would be supportive of whatever his nipper wanted to do. But now he was acting just like Sir Henry Percy had about Georgia 's desire to be a Quidditch player.

"I support you, Bill,"Harry Hotspur said pompously."creative person is not a career. You 've got to fight this. Went through the same thing with Georgia-"

"Really, Dad ?"Sakartvelo asked."After the past few months of going to my secret plan and making the press think you 're supportive of my dreams, you still do n't think I should take on Quidditch ?"

"Quidditch, like painting, is a hobby,"Hotspur said."It 's not a career."

"You 're unlikely !"Sakartvelo exclaimed."The sustenance, the cheering, it 's all impostor, is n't it ?"

"Georgia-"

"You know what, Dad ? Do n't even bother."Empire State of the South stood up and left the board in a similar way to Gabriella.

"This,"Albus whispered to Amanda,"is not normal."

"I thought Gabriella liked Uncle Walker Percy 's fake support,"James muttered.

"well, she did at first but she probably thought there was no way he could forge it for so long and not set out to come around. She surely thought it was very by now,"pink wine said.

"You 're going to take a leak a goodness head-shrinker,"Albus said.

"Yeah, you can start with Uncle Percy,"James said.

"DOE anyone desire pudding ?"grannie asked.


A/N : Thanks for all the reviews !


Never before had Albus experienced such an awkward Christmas dinner party, and that included the meter his auntie Katherine went into labor with Eddie at the mesa. After Gabriella and Georgia stormed out, Gran served pudding to the remaining fellowship members, but everyone ate in muteness. Albus, rose, and Amanda ate as fast as they could and then escaped to the one stead they did n't guess anyone else would go- the attic.

The bean of the Burrow was similar to an archeological web site. It contained layers of Weasley category account and if you dug late enough you could even find pictures of Uncle Bill when he was a infant. It used to mansion a ghoul, but the ghoul died years before Albus was born. Albus did n't go up in the bonce a good deal anymore, but when he was picayune it had made an fantabulous hiding dapple.

"I never realized how alike Gabriella and Georgia were,"Albus said once they 'd keep out the attic door.

"I never realized how alike Uncle Harry Hotspur and Uncle government note were,"rosebush replied."I never thought Uncle Bill would react like that."

"Me either,"Albus agreed."Let 's not tattle about it. I just want to do something fun."

"Let 's play Monopoly,"Amanda said."It 's a Muggle game. I brought it from my house."

Albus and Rose readily agreed and soon the three were playing Monopoly in the noggin. It took Albus and rosiness a little while to get the hang of the money, which was based on Muggle money, but once they did, it was very fun. Albus 's favorite thing about it was how long it took. They spent hours on one biz and by the meter Amanda beat him and Rose, almost all of his family was asleep.

By breakfast the side by side morning nearly everything had blown over. half of his auntie and uncles had left because they had to go to work and the other one-half were in the mental process of getting ready to leave. Some of his cousins were still there, but quite a few had left. When Albus went downstairs he noticed his uncle peak and aunt Fleur having a lecture with Gabriella over phonograph record of sausage. Albus paused in the threshold, waiting for them to finish.

"We do n't want you to remember we are n't supportive of your art,"Bill said."We are. Both of us. I just want to know you 're going to be okay."

"I am, Dad,"Gabriella said."I 'll be staying with Grandmere and Grandpere."

"That 's reassuring,"bank bill said."And I did overreact last night."

Fleur snorted."Yes, I 'd say you did."

"I certainly do n't want you to think I 'm anything like your uncle Percy,"poster whispered."I 'd never try and stop you from pursuing your dream."

"Well, painting in France is my dream for now,"Gabriella said adamantly.

"Then we 'll keep going you,"Bill said. Fleur nodded in agreement."I 'm dingy for overreacting cobbler's last Nox. I think we were all on edge from the reporter."

"Thanks, Dad,"Gabriella said.

"When were you planning on leaving ?"Fleur asked.

"After that Ministry political party. Ca n't miss that or Uncle Percy would go insane."

"The weekend after that, then,"Bill said."We want to help you move."

Gabriella nodded."Thanks."

Bill stood up and gave his daughter a hug."I 've got to get to exploit, but I 'll see you at house later. I love you, Gabby."

"Love you, too, Dad,"Gabriella said as she hugged him back.

Albus walked into the kitchen as his uncle left, grabbing a few blimp and a cinnamon bun on his way to the tabular array. He was relieved that Uncle circular and Gabriella came to an correspondence, especially one that involved Gabriella still moving to France. He wanted his full cousin to be happy and he still wanted to think of notice as his cool uncle.

Albus returned to Grimmauld billet later that day and it only took him a few minute of boredom to start out his vacation meter reading. Rose and Amanda had returned to Rose 's house, so without them, he was forced to be productive. In fact, Albus was actually looking forward to the Ministry party for the lonesome rationality that he 'd get to see Rose and mat.

The few sidereal day in between fisticuffs Day and New Year 's Eve were fairly uneventful, especially compared with Christmas day. GA and Uncle Percy still had n't made up and Georgia came over for a heart-to-heart with Albus 's mum the day before the company. Albus often forgot that his mum used to encounter professional person Quidditch and would be the perfect somebody for Empire State of the South to seek advice from.

Albus attempted to listen in on their conversation via extendable Ear, but his mum must 've put an interperbabble charm on the kitchen door because he could n't take heed a matter. Dejected, he put away his extendable Ear and returned to reading his Transfiguration of Jesus al-Qur'an.

Shortly after Georgia left Epistle of James walked in the back door with a grin on his face.

"What are you so well-chosen about ?"Albus asked.

"Mum forgot to put the charm on the windowpane,"James said."I heard everything."

"wellspring, tell me what you heard !"Albus said as he closed his book.

"I do n't bonk ...."

"semen on, James,"Albus said."If you do I wo n't assure Mum and Dad what you 're planning on doing to the punch at the political party tomorrow."

"Fine,"James muttered as he sat down."Basically, Georgia 's still mad at Uncle Percy and does n't want to go to the party tomorrow. Mum convinced her that she needs to take the high road and be supportive of Uncle Percy even though he is n't being supportive of her. And she said there 's no surreptitious to getting him to recognize Quidditch as a valid vocation. He just has to agnize it on his own and all Sakartvelo can do is be the best player she can and support herself and not ask him for money. But then she reminded Sakartvelo that gramps was very supportive of her Quidditch career."

"zero too exciting, then,"Albus said.

"Nope, not really,"James agreed."Going to make for an concern party, though."

"That 's for for sure,"Albus said.
***


"Is the Minister 's sign glowing blue devil ?"Albus asked as he followed his parents up the winding path to the mansion.

It was New Year 's Eve and the ceramicist were slightly late for the party, as usual. This time James had not been the reason ; they were late because Ginny had had to lengthen Albus 's gown live instant.

"It looks that way,"Harry answered."Wait until you see the inside. The election New yr 's Eve party at the government minister 's residence is one of the grandest social function the Ministry puts on, only beaten out by the party that will take place for the winner of the election. It 's going to be far fancier than the party for Mr. Eckerton hold up year."

Albus nodded. As they drew snug to the mansion Albus noticed that the gamey illumination seemed to staunch from the ground, illuminating the house as it went upward, but he could not see where the light came from. It looked to just come along out of the ground. The path itself was lined with silver grey candles.

The doorway was already open when they reached the end of the route. A man dressed in a full phase of the moon black tie with tails stood in the doorway and he took Ginny and Lily 's wraps while another man led the Potters into the lofty ballroom.

The ballroom was already filled to capacity and Albus noticed that nearly one-half of the citizenry in attendance were his aunts, uncles, and full cousin. The dance hall itself was lit by silver gray candles like to the ones that lined the path outside. The window were draped in grave naval forces curtains tied with silver rophy and matching linens dressed the tables and chairs scattered throughout the room. Larger tables containing platters of intellectual nourishment stood in the center of the elbow room, each one holding an ice carving. The carving were of respective historical buildings in wizarding Great Britain, including one of Hogwarts.

Waiters dressed in the same tuxedos as the wizards by the door walked throughout the room carrying home base of food and drink. After taking a look at some of the food they carried, Albus wondered if there was anything normal or if it was just fancy hors d'oeuvres.

"Before you all take off to receive your first cousin,"Harry began, staring more than at his Son than at Lily."Epistle of James, absolutely no pranks. Albus, no sneaking off to other parts of the mansion or going outside this year. assure me, both of you."

"I promise,"Albus and James each mumbled.

"All right, you may go,"Harry said."And proceed an eye out for your jr. cousin-german. Make trusted they 're not getting into trouble."

Albus nodded and then slipped into the crowd in lookup of Matt, rose, and something to eat that did not resemble something his aunty Fleur 's mother would make. He finally wound up at the dessert table where he found both a large small-arm of chocolate bar and his friends.

"Albus, there you are !"Rose said."We 've been here for an hour already."

"Mum had to lengthen my gown,"Albus said in between bites of cake.

"I 'm not surprised. You grew a pes in the past times year,"Rose commented.

"Seriously, you 've got to discontinue,"matt said."You make me search like a arcsecond year."

"Is everyone else here ?"Albus asked as they walked over to a mostly empty board. Its merely occupier was a very old man who seemed to be taking a nap.

Rose nodded."Even Georgia showed up. But I did find out that the only understanding we were all invited was to make Uncle Percy look like more of a menage man."

"Really ?"Albus asked."I thought it was just because kin of the candidates were always invited."

"No. Usually it 's only immediate home extremity, plus all the head teacher of section and top Ministry officials and their fellowship. So not all of us were going to be invited at first. It 's to make us bet like a very conclusion knit stitch family."

"You are a close plain kin,"Matt said."It 's like you 're all buddy and sisters rather than cousins."

"But Uncle Percy never really involved any of us in his Ministry career before,"Albus pointed out."Anyway, flatness, how was your Christmas ?"

"goodness,"matte said."rosebush already told me about yours. Sounded much more worry than mine. My grandparents came to inspect and they went home yesterday. Mum and Cinda argued over the fact that we do n't visit them enough anymore and then Mum and Amy argued over the fact that Amy never comes rest home except for vacation. Dad, Richard, and I just stayed out of it. I swear, those three could argue over nothing."

"strait like yours was interesting then,"Albus said.

lusterlessness shrugged."Honestly, it 's been rather boring at home."

"I 'm make to get back to Hogwarts,"Albus said."Is Amy here ?"

"Yeah, she 's off with Victoire and Teddy,"Matt said.

"Oh, by the way, do n't salute the punch,"Albus warned them."James is planning to put something in it."

"What ?"Rose asked.

"I do n't get it on, but it 'll probably be crying,"Albus said.

"If your uncle wins your full cousin will get to live here,"Matt said as he gazed around the elbow room."Weird to think about. This stead looks openhanded than my old house."

"It probably is,"Rose said."And you 're rightfield, that is weird to recollect about."

The old man let out a snort and woke up. His oculus darted around until they rested on Albus, Rose, and Matt."Who are you three ?"he demanded.

"Er, I 'm Albus Potter and that 's Rose Weasley and matt Eckerton,"Albus said.

His nerve softened."Oh, overnice to meet you ! I 'm Gregory Laurentis. My daughter 's running for Minister. Could not be prouder, but I suppose she 's running against your uncle. Albus ceramicist, Merlin 's whiskers ! I told Patty, I told her she was nut to run against Percy Weasley what with him being related to Harry potter himself, but her party picked her to run so I suppose there was nothing I could do about it. And she could n't turn down that opportunity ...."

Albus glanced at Rose and Matt while Laurnetis 's dad continued to rattle on about how proud he was of his girl, yet marvel at her stupidity for running against someone related to Harry ceramist. He was rather funny, Albus thought.

"This topographic point is too anathemize fancy,"St. Gregory of Nazianzen Laurnetis muttered as he fingered the tablecloth."And the food for thought, my God, what I would n't give for some cracker and mash ...."

Albus stifled a laughter, but he did agree with the old man."I think I hear one of my cousins calling me,"Albus said."We 'd break go."

"Oh, right, right,"Gregory XII Laurentis said."I do n't see anything, but then again my listening 's so bad these days. well, good lot to your uncle, then. Not that he 'll need it !"

"trade good luck to your daughter, too,"Albus said as he stood up.

All three burst out laughing as soon as they were out of earshot of Gregory Laurentis. A few Ministry officials looked at them strangely as they did so, but Albus did n't like.

"Albus !"Matt suddenly whispered."Is that Balladanis over there ?"Matt pointed to the far rear corner, where a man in plain black robe stood with his arms folded across his chest.

Albus peered at the man for a few bit."Yeah, I think it is."

"What 's he doing here ?"Matt asked.

"Probably in case of an onset,"Rose said."Every prominent Ministry official is in this room right now. There 's probably Aurors stationed at every threshold outside, too."

"Do n't let him see us,"Matt said as he grabbed both Albus and pink wine and pulled them behind a large grouping of hoi polloi."Can we just go somewhere else ?"

Albus glanced at Balladanis and then back at lustrelessness, who looked Thomas More than a little skittish. Albus did n't pick him. After lastly year 's scandal with Balladanis, it was no wonder flatness never wanted to see the man again. Albus thought briefly of what his dad told him when they got there, but pushed the promise from his creative thinker. If mat did n't want to be in the same room as Balladanis, then Albus was just going to have to break his promise.

"ejaculate on,"rose said before Albus could reply. She took Albus and Matt 's hired man and pulled them through the crowd. She let them go once they reached the corridor.

The corridor was much restrained than the ballroom. Albus had n't even realized just how gaudy the ballroom was until now. Between the medicine and people 's voices, it was a wonder he 'd even been able to guess in there.

"Thanks,"matt said quietly."He just gives me the creeps."

"No trouble,"Rose said."Where should we go ?"

"We could try and find that library again,"Albus suggested.

Rose and Matt nodded and the three set off down the corridor. It took them xv minutes and three wrong bend to find the subroutine library and once they got there, they saw that it was already occupied by none other than Georgia, Tom Bradley, and Cedric.

"We 've got to intercept using the Lapp hiding places,"Georgia said with a laugh as they entered."Just joking. number on in."

rosiness shut the door behind them and they joined Georgia, Omar Bradley, and Cedric on the other side of the way.

"Sick of the party ?"Georgia asked.

"We saw Balladanis,"matt said quietly as he sat down."Did n't want him to detect us."

Empire State of the South shuddered."Do n't blame you there, especially since your dad is the ground he got sacked."

"I kind of liked him,"Thomas Bradley said.

Matt looked at him like he was insane."Are you kidding ?"

Tom Bradley shrugged."Nope. I 'm not terribly upset he 's gone, but he was sort of cool."

"You 're mad,"Matt said.

"What about you three ? What drove you to the library ?"Albus asked, wanting to stave in off an argument between his practiced friend and cousin.

"Decided to explore the business firm,"Cedric said."If we 're going to have to survive here, we wanted to see what we 'd be getting into."

"And what do you think ?"rose asked.

"Living here would n't be so bad,"Cedric said."Bradley and I would n't give to share a elbow room. Neither would Samantha and lindy, for that matter."

"I told you, one of you can have my room,"GA said.

"Dad wo n't let us,"Bradley replied."Says you 're going to come back when Quidditch stops paying off."

Georgia groaned."Really, the faith he has in me is incredible."

"We met Laurentis 's dad,"Albus said.

Georgia burst out laughing."Seriously ?"

Albus nodded and told the story. All three of his cousins were laughing by the prison term he finished.

"I may possess to go back out there just so I can meet him,"Georgia said, still laughing.

"He sounds like a very concern chap,"Tom Bradley said.

Matt got up from his president and began wandering around the library. He paused by the doorway, as if listening.

"What are you doing ?"Albus asked.

"I heard something,"Matt whispered."Shut up, all of you."

Georgia immediately stopped laughing and all five of them stopped talking. Matt 's eyes grew big and he hurried back over."Someone 's coming !"

"I do n't pick up any-"Bradley began.

"Sshhh !"Albus said as he jumped up."Trust him on this. We 've got to hide."

"There 's a cupboard,"Rose said as she hurried to spread out the door."It 's not very big-"

"Does n't count,"flatness said."Hurry, get inside."

Albus just started hearing the vocalization as they hurried inside the closet. It was a very tight squeeze and pink wine was stepping on his go away ft, but he said nothing as he shut the threshold. Two seconds later he heard the door to the library open air.

"It 's not working !"a womanhood said. Her voice was muffled ; Albus could barely realise out what she said, let alone who she was.

"I ca n't hear anything,"Cedric whispered."Is this door unanimous Venetian red or something ?"

"Shut up !"lusterlessness seethed. He had his ear pressed to the door.

"The one time I do n't get any Extendables with me,"Cedric muttered.

Albus pressed his ear up against the room access. The interpreter were still muffled, but he could hear.

"I told you they 'd eat up the whole class man thing,"another spokesperson said. This one was male."Not to refer he 's Harry Potter 's brother-in-law for God 's sake !"

"Harry thrower is an incompetent retard and you know it,"the woman replied."He 's celebrated for something he did as a nestling and the general public is dolt to still recollect of him as the hero of the wizarding world. He 's gone soft."

"It 's Laurentis !"matt said.

"How can you tell ?"Bradley asked."This door is so bloody thick."

"I just can,"matte said.

Albus could n't tell that the vocalisation was Laurentis 's, but based on what she was saying, matt was redress.

"Well, what am I supposed to do about it ?"the man said.

"We 've got to remember of something,"Laurentis said."The Azkaban argumentation is in a hebdomad. I 'm sure you can call back of something to do for that."

"I think that 's her campaign manager,"lusterlessness said.

"She sounds awful,"Albus said.

"It should n't be that laborious. All we have to do is expose Weasley for what he really is and get everyone to make Potter 's not the hero they all think he is,"Laurentis said.

"And who is Weasley, then ?"

"A overblown cretin !"Laurentis exclaimed."You do n't really buy the whole fact that he supports his daughter 's Quidditch life history, do you ? I 've seen the way she looks at him and there 's no way that 's real."

"You ca n't really cognize that-"

"I can,"she interrupted."I can interpret mass, Pierce. That 's why I got into politics. It 's all about reading citizenry and figuring out the lies from the truths. See what you can dig up. We 'd better return to the company. I left my father alone with minister of religion Langston. That wo n't become out well."

"Yes, Ms. Laurentis,"Pierce replied.

Albus heard the speech sound of high heels on hardwood trading floor, the doorway creaking undetermined, and then chatter shut again. He waited two full moon minute of arc and then opened the door to the press. Everyone hurried out.

"What was that ?"Matt demanded."What is she up to ?"

"How did you catch all that ?"Bradley asked."Do you have super human auditory modality or something ?"

"Or something,"Matt muttered,"but never mind that. Laurentis knows your dad 's putting on an act and is going to try to display him."He turned to Albus."And she is going to try and call on the wizarding world against your dad."

"She 's insane !"Albus exclaimed.

"You 've got to tell your uncle-"matt began.

"No way,"Georgia said loudly."Trust me, all he 'll do is blame me for not playing my persona well enough. This is n't leaving this room."

"But she 's going to weaken his movement,"Albus said.

"Georgia 's right,"Rose said."It wo n't help anything. effort are half about digging up dirt on the former nominee. Anything she says about Uncle Harry, no one will believe it unless they 're an cretin. Anyone with half a mind knows he runs the Auror department well."

"If anyone says anything he 'll just get mad at us for spying,"Omar Bradley added.

"Not to mention we 're not technically allowed in here,"Cedric pointed out.

"Oh, right,"Albus said."My dad did do me assure not to leave the ballroom."

"No one 's saying anything,"Georgia said."And I think we 'd all improve get back to the ballroom, just in case anyone notices we 're all gone.


Thanks for all the reviews ! Remember to hold on them 12+. props to all who caught the 'mahogany'Hunger Games reference. credit for that goes to Suzanne collins. If any of you are phallus of the forums ( and if you 're not, you should be, connect on the right English of the page ! ), feel free to check out my sports meeting the Author page ! It 's linked on my writer Thomas Nelson Page. Please ask me questions on my MTA Sir Frederick Handley Page since I love answering them !


When they returned to the dance palace Albus was pleased to see that Balladanis was nowhere in sight. Perhaps he left to patrol the grounds. Albus did n't really care ; all that mattered was that he was n't there anymore. Judging by the crew in the room, no one else had left yet, and they all seemed a bit more rambunctious, most likely due to the drinks.

Percy accosted them before they were even capable to get to the desert table to reload their plates with cake. He walked with purpose, similarly to the way he had walked when he took Albus and his friends to Kendrick 's study. He seemed very at home in the Minister 's mansion and it was n't even his yet.

"GA !"he said."There you are. I 've been looking for you everywhere."

"I was in the loo. Something you need, Dad ?"GA asked.

"Er, yes, actually,"Percy replied."I need you to direct Samantha and Lindy home. It 's nearly eleven and your mother and I are going to be here well past midnight. Samantha ate too a good deal bar and feel ill. I just think it would be upright for them to go home and get some sleep. They 're over at that table."Walker Percy gestured to a nearby table, where Samantha and Lindy were sitting, both with their heads in their bridge player, looking extremely bored.

Empire State of the South raised her eyebrows, as if surprised that Percy was actually going to not only let three of his fry leave, but request that they do so. Albus was surprised he 'd even suppose about the fact that it was n't really a party for two nine-year-olds.

"Yeah, I can take them rest home,"Empire State of the South said.

"What about us ?"Bradley asked, gesturing to himself and Cedric."Could n't we lease them home ?"

"I 'd rather Peach State do it,"Sir Henry Percy said."You do n't even suffer your Apparition license yet, Cedric. And Bradley, you just got yours. You 're not quick to side-along Apparate two people."

"They do have fireplaces here, Dad,"Bradley muttered.

"Georgia 's taking them, and the two of you are staying here,"Harry Hotspur said adamantly."Thank you, Georgia."

"You 're receive,"Georgia said as Percy strutted off to talk to some Ministry functionary."Ha !"she said once he was out of earshot."I get to leave."

"Shut up,"Cedric said."I 'm going to go bump James."

Georgia headed over to the table her sisters were sitting at while Omar Nelson Bradley and Cedric disappeared into the crowd. Albus, matte, and Rose wandered over to the dessert table, piled a dental plate high with the biscuits a waiter had just set out, and then set off to find another table. They found one, which Victoire, teddy bear, and Amy were vacating.

"Where are you three off to ?"Albus asked.

"We 've got ahead of time rounds tomorrow,"Victoire said."Five in the dayspring. If we 're golden we 'll get four hours of sleep."

"I do n't see much distributor point in staying if they 're not here,"shimmy said."Technically I was n't even invited, but seeing as I 'm Harry thrower 's Godson, no one was going to kvetch me out."

Albus laughed."See you later, then."

After Victoire, slip, and Amy left Albus sat down and his friends sat on either incline. He absentmindedly chewed on a cooky and watched the crowd.

"Do these try out funny remark to you ?"Matt asked, holding up a partially eaten biscuit.

Albus took another bit. They did taste Wyrd."Yeah."

rosiness burst out laughing and started pointing at their head word."I think James messed with the biscuit instead of the punch. Al, your haircloth is blue and Matt, yours is green."

Albus and matt both started laughing. Albus took another tone at the crew."Look, that ma'am 's hair is majestic !"He pointed to a witch a few yards away. The bloke she was talking to was clearly trying not to stare at her head.

Over the next few minutes the great unwashed gradually began to take in that their hairsbreadth was turning versatile semblance and that the biscuit were the culprit. wand appeared everywhere, as the guests charmed each other 's hair back to its normal colouring. Another minute later Albus spotted both of his parents walking around the perimeter of the room, clearly looking for James I, but he was nowhere in sight.

"I like this prank,"Albus said."I 'm leaving my fuzz as is."

"Me too,"lusterlessness agreed. They both turned to Rose."You should eat one."

rosiness sighed."might as well."She took a biscuit and a minute of arc later her formerly red fuzz was a lovely shade of pink.

The rest of the company was rather dull. Harry eventually found James and told him he 'd be staying in his elbow room for the remnant of the holiday, only being allowed out for meals. When midnight rolled around Albus, matte, and Rose toasted to the new year with Lily and Victor Hugo. Matt and his parents left immediately afterwards and Albus and his family left a dead while later. Albus was relieved to be going plate since the night had been exhausting, and he still could n't get the conversation he overheard in the library out of his mind.
***


"It 's here !"James II shouted the next break of day at breakfast, brandishing a copy of Wizards magazine. The front cover was a picture of Albus 's grandparents, his mum, Uncle Percy, Uncle flyer, Uncle Charlie, Uncle Saint George, and Uncle Ron.

"Let me see it !"Albus shouted.

"No, I got it first !"James shouted back.

"I want to read it first !"Lily exclaimed.

"Kids, reconcile down !"Ginny said."St. James the Apostle got it first. Al can read it next, and then Lily."

"Not fair,"Lily muttered."I 'm never first."

That was a lie, Albus thought to himself. It was either Henry James or Lily who got thing first, never Albus. oath of being the middle tyke, he figured.

Albus sat and ate his breakfast while James II read the article. His brother let out groans and sigh and even laughter while he read, which made Albus even more queasy to read it. After what seemed same forever, it was finally Albus 's bend. He yanked the magazine out of James 's script and opened it up to the article.

The first page ( or rather, first two page ), contained the ikon of his total family. Albus had been right in guessing that there was no way the photographer could 've gotten a picture that they all looked in effect in. Albus himself at least seem halfway decent. He was smiling and kept turning to appear at pink wine and then back to the camera. Lily on the other deal, was caught mid-grimace and always returned to that personate every few endorsement. Across the photo was the gens of the article- 'Christmas With the Weasleys .'Albus turned the page and looked at all the other photographs that accompanied the article before reading it. There was one of Percy, Corrine, and their kid. Another featured Harry Hotspur and Albus 's dad. Then there was the one with him playing Exploding breeze with the twins and Percy, as well as the one with Harry Hotspur and Amanda playing cheat. The subtitle on that learn 'Minister wannabee Harry Hotspur Weasley challenges the heyday Minister 's niece to a game of chess .'Amanda was not going to be felicitous, Albus thought as he turned his aid to the article.

When I first entered the childhood home of Percy
Weasley I immediately noticed the yummy olfactory perception
that filled the air. Molly Weasley, Walker Percy 's mother,
was hard at oeuvre cooking Christmas Eve dinner. The
small, but cosy, dwelling was filled to capacity with
Weasleys, although it only grew more crowded with
the arrival of the ceramicist an 60 minutes later.

The Weasley family gather for Christmas at the
base of Chester A. Arthur and mollie Weasley every year.
Chester Alan Arthur, a move back Ministry employee, says ,'I
love having the entire family together. It 's
disorderly, but I would n't have it any former way .'
The even begins with a meal, although eating
seems to pack home over many hours. The atmospheric state
is homey and glad, with every exclusive fellowship
fellow member enjoying their time with each other.

Sir Henry Percy Weasley, a loving father of five, joins in
on the fun and Christmastime spirit by challenging
his nine-year-old daughters Samantha and lindy hop,
as well as nephew Albus Potter, 14, to a game
of Exploding cinch .'I feel it 's important to
spend time with my children, as well as my nieces
and nephews ,'Weasley said, 'we have such petty
meter with them before they go off to Hogwarts.
My eldest is already out on her own and my sons
only have a little prison term left at Hogwarts. The
twins are still young, so I try to pass time
with them every unity day .'When asked
about their father 's political campaign, Samantha said,
'I want him to win. He 's good at his job .'
lindy merely shrugged, 'It would be nerveless if he
profits, but he 'll still just be Dad to us .'

The home of Arthur and molly Weasley is not
only open to Weasleys at Dec 25 clock time. This
year they were joined by a friend of Albus ceramist
and Rose Weasley, 14. Amanda Tagger, also 14, is
a quarter year educatee at Hogwarts. tagger is no
stranger to political mob since her uncle
is Michael Smythe, heyday minister of Great
Britain .'I think it is just terrific that
the flush Minister 's niece is a witch ,'Percy
said. 'We are always trying to promote a
hefty relationship with the Muggle Ministry
and this will only aid .'

Before posing for the pic found on Sir Frederick Handley Page
20 and 21, the Weasley family first donned
their Weasley jumpers. Each member of the phratry
receives one of these jumper for Christmas
every year. The traditional jumpers are knitted
by molly Weasley .'I 'm not indisputable how it started,
really ,'Molly said, when asked about the extraction
of the jumpers ,'I suppose it was when Bill and
Charlie were little, before Percy was born. I
wanted to knit them matching pinny and they
outgrew them by the following year, so I made
new ace. Then when Percy was born he needed one
so it soon grew into a every year thing .'

If I had to opt one word to key the Weasley
family, I would choose 'laid-back .'Spending a
Christmas Day Eve with this class, you would never
think that they were noted for their efforts in
the war against Voldemort. They are just so normal.
even Harry ceramicist, oral sex Auror, is just your
norm forefather. He spends Christmas Eve joking
around with his brothers-in-law and playing biz
with his children, nieces, and nephews. I asked
him what a distinctive Christmas Day day is like in the
Weasley house and he responded with, 'Quidditch.
We live for Quidditch. No issue the atmospheric condition we
get out there every Christmastide and dally a match or
two. Then we 'll fare inside and have dinner, all
of us together. It 's dewy-eyed, but perfect .'

There you have it. Dec 25 with the Weasleys
summed up in one sentence by none other than Harry
Potter himself. I thoroughly enjoyed spending
Christmas Eve with Sir Henry Percy Weasley and his entire
kinfolk. Next time I consultation him, I really must
ask for his mother 's sheepman 's pie recipe. It
truly is wonderful.

"Really ?"Albus asked after handing the magazine to Lily."After all that ? She interviewed half the crime syndicate and only quoted a few of us ?"

"I 'm guessing the relief could n't really be used for the type of clause she was going for,"James pointed out."observance how she only included binge Samantha and Lindy said."

"And she made it seem like the photographer just happened to contain image of us playing game with Uncle Sir Henry Percy,"Albus said."All of that was staged."

"That 's news media,"Ginny said."Not good journalism, mind you, but it is fairly mutual practice."

"I guess it could own been spoilt,"Albus said.

"Yes, it could bear been,"Ginny agreed."I think we 're all just grateful she did n't continue for Christmas Day dinner."

Saint James the Apostle laughed."I wonder how she would 've gyrate that. I 'm mystify no one 's figured out that Uncle Hotspur does n't really like that Georgia plays Quidditch."

"Keep your mouth shut about that, James,"Ginny said quietly.

"Anyone with half a brain could see it,"James I muttered.

Albus said nothing. He still was n't completely sure that saying nothing about Laurentis figuring that out was the right thing to do. But he could n't exactly say anything, not when all his cousins and flatness had agreed not to.

"James,"Ginny said."enough. And I suggest you use the remainder of your break to canvass for those O.W.L.s. June is a lot sooner than you think."

James I certainly did a unspoilt job of pretending to examine for the remainder of the holiday, while shut up in his room for his punishment. Albus noticed that while he always had a book cracked open nearby, to grab when one of their parents walked into the way, it was always the Same Book, opened to the Lapp page. Albus was amazed neither of his parents realized that, but he supposed both of them had their nous on Percy 's election. Albus finished all his preparation before the weekend, leaving him with two blissful days of doing nothing. On Saturday he, along with his parents, James IV, and Lily, visited Kaden and his family for a recently Dec 25 and New Year 's celebration. Albus was relieved that Kaden 's grandparents were n't there.

Monday arrived and it was time to go back to Hogwarts. Albus was quite happy about this because he had grown bored of staying at menage and doing naught and was sick of being in such fold after part with King James and Lily. At least in Gryffindor tower they kept to their own chemical group of ally. But mostly, Albus wanted to get Amanda 's take on the conversation they overheard at the pastor 's Mansion.

"Everyone 's staring at me,"Amanda said as she entered the compartment Albus, rosiness, lustrelessness, John, and Kaden were occupying."Took me ages to find out you, just because mass kept wanting to talk to me. It 's that dazed cartridge clip article. Now everyone knows I 'm the Prime rector 's niece."

"It was bound to happen Oklahoman or later,"blush wine pointed out."But I 'm sorry. If I 'd be intimate the newsman was going to verbalise about that, I would n't take in invited you for Christmas."

"No, it 's hunky-dory,"Amanda said as she sat down."I 'm glad I went. It 's just annoying. Guess I know how it feels to be you lot."

"Except us,"St. John said as he gestured to himself and Kaden."We 're normal."

"You 're convention, John,"Amanda said."But Kaden 's Harry thrower 's first cousin once removed or something."

"And that really makes me question how I got wrapped up in all this,"John the Evangelist said."My parents just are n't nearly as challenging as yours all are."

"How was that company, by the way ?"Amanda asked.

"Mostly boring,"Albus said."But we did weave up in a diminutive W.C. with my full cousin Georgia, Tom Bradley, and Cedric and overheard a conversation between Laurentis and her campaign manager."

"You what ?"John the Evangelist exclaimed."And you did n't recall that warranted an owl ?"

"We wanted to narrate you in person,"Albus said."The conversation was really weird."

"Tell us !"Amanda said.

Albus explained what he overheard, with service from Matt, who had been able to hear it a bit Thomas More clearly. John the Evangelist and Kaden looked slightly uncomfortable when they finished, but Amanda did n't seem at all surprised or upset.

"That ca n't be well,"John said."What do you think she 's planning ?"

"That 's just it, I do n't know,"Albus said."And all my cousins and matte agreed not to say anything-"

"They 're right, of course,"Amanda said."You 'd just shake up trouble. Your uncle has got to concentrate on convincing people he 's the right one for the job, not discrediting everything Laurentis says."

"But she 's going to try and convince everyone my dad 's a bad Auror,"Albus pointed out.

"Your dad is n't running for Minister,"Amanda said."And honestly, I do n't intend she 's going to be able-bodied to win over all of wizarding United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland that your dad 's incompetent by April."

"But what about the Georgia thing-"

"Albus,"Amanda said as she stared directly at him,"this is what politician do. Half the campaign is spent trying to convince people the opponent is bad for the job. As much as it should just be spent on trying to convince citizenry they 're mightily for the job, candidates just do n't do that. confidence me. My uncle 's on his second term. I know how these things work."

"I guess,"Albus said. He felt slightly better about it, now that he had Amanda 's opinion, but he still felt awkward."Something is going to go on at the Azkaban argument, though. She wanted her campaign manager to dig something up."

"Worst casing scenario, she figures out that your uncle Harry Hotspur does n't really okay of GA 's Quidditch career,"Amanda said."Then he 'll cave in an interview and say that at first he was n't because he was concern about her future but then he saw her shimmer and now he realizes how good she is and blah, blah, rant. It 'll be fixed."

"She 's right hand, Albus,"rose said. The others nodded.

"How do you get laid all this ?"Albus asked."I mean, seriously."

"I 'm an first-class eavesdropper,"Amanda said with a smiling."And all without Extendable Ears."

"Amazing,"John agreed.

"It 's elementary, really,"Amanda said."Be the kid in your family that goes unnoticed. My honest-to-goodness sister is the drama queen regnant, so everything that happens to her, no matter how lowly, is a huge trade. My little Brother is a terror who demands constant attention. Me ? I 'm the quiet one. They 'll have wholly conversations about clobber in front of me that they 'd never own in front of either my buddy or sister."

Kaden laughed."Bet that changed when you found out you were a witch."

"At first, but then me being a beldam became convention,"Amanda said.

matte let out a low whistle."regard I had that acquirement. I still ca n't even go into the same way as my parents without one of them asking me if I feel okay. Bit of an exaggeration, but still."

"I think my parents pass too a great deal of their childhoods eavesdropping on masses to open me a adequate fortune at it,"Albus said."They know all the tricks."

"So do mine,"Rose said."I swear my mum can smell an Extendable Ear a mile away."

"I think I 'm too cheap,"John said.

"Saame,"Kaden agreed.

"So, would you think me if I said I actually wanted to go to the Azkaban debate ?"John asked as he opened a box of Bertie Bott 's Every nip Beans.

Rose burst out laughing."Really, John ?"

"Yes, really,"John said, popping a bean into his sass."Butter, Wyrd. If Laurentis is going to do something, I want to be right there to witness it."

"Maybe you 'll get lucky and you 'll get picked,"Amanda said."I hope I get picked for one."

"I bet they 'll let you go to all of them now, being the Prime Minister's niece and all,"John said.

"Not necessarily,"Amanda said.

"You can always contain my spot, privy,"Matt said as he got up to steal a handful of John 's Bertie Bott 's."full phase of the moon Moon 's on Friday, so I wo n't be going."

"Maybe you can convert brothel keeper Pomfrey, since it 's educational,"Kaden said.

Matt popped a bonce into his mouth and then promptly spat it out."Ew, dirt. Does n't matter what lady Pomfrey says. Day after the full lunation ? I 'll be asleep. You 'll just have to take bank bill and let me know what happens."

John groaned."I 'll pass on your stain if I have to need notes."

"someone 's going to have to take on banker's bill either way,"lustrelessness said."I 'll call for them for the essay that Embry will assign."

"Do n't worry, I 'll look at notes,"rosebush told him.

"Thanks,"Matt replied."Now, who 's wants this edible bean ? It looks just like grunge, but it could be chocolate."matt held up a suspiciously brown bean.

"I 'll take it !"St. John said. He took a tiny nibble, screwed up his boldness, and threw the rest of the bean back at Matt, hitting him square on the forehead."Thanks, spouse, another dirt."

Albus laughed and took a handful of bonce. The difference of the trip was much more blithe than their conversation about the campaign tactics of Laurentis and Percy. They finished off John 's Bertie Bott 's, growing braver as the box emptied. Albus stopped after he got a regurgitation flavored one, but enjoyed it immensely when Kaden ate one of the same flavor. The train ride went quickly and soon they arrived in Hogsmeade place with Hogwarts, Albus 's second home, just a short carriage depend upon away.


Sorry for the former update ! My cousin got married on Friday so I was gone the whole weekend and did n't birth my computer with me. Thanks to my sister, Linda, who in my fellowship, is just like Amanda and can eavesdrop on everyone. She gave me the idea for that. Thanks for all the lovely reviews !


"This term we will focus on how the first gear and bit warfare against Voldemort shaped how the Ministry of conjuration is organized today,"Professor Embry announced after the toll rang for Tuesday 's politics class."This part of the socio-economic class will overlap with your History of Magic family quite a bit, although I 'd hazard a supposition that none of you pay aid in account of legerdemain, not that I blame you. I never could stick around awake in that class either.

"first-class honours degree, we will take a closer look at exactly how the Ministry was organized prior to Voldemort 's rise to power and why it was such a problem,"Embry continued."Part of the ground why Voldemort was able-bodied to mount to power as quickly as he did was because the Ministry was susceptible to a takeover. Since then, guard have been taken to prevent a standardised situation. Does anyone know the briny difference between the Ministry before Voldemort and the Ministry now ?"

A few helping hand went up in the air, including Amanda 's. Albus knew the reply, but he did n't really want to raise his hand. He preferred listening during class.

"Yes, Miss Tagger ?"

"The Minister was n't elected,"Amanda said,"which is odd because the Muggle Minister is elected, sort of. It 's not like in the United land, but the public voting on which company will be in power."

"Exactly,"Embry said."Prior to the reorganization of the Ministry of Magic in 1998, the parson was appointed by the Wizengamot. Can anyone say me why that is a problem ?"

Amanda 's mitt dead reckoning into the air once more. She was even fast than pink wine in this class.

"Miss Tagger ?"

"It was bad because the people had no world power. Only the Wizengamot had any mightiness in the Ministry, because they were the one who appointed the parson, who then appointed all the other officials. No one had any say in anything."

"right hand again. Ten points to Gryffindor,"Embry said."The Wizengamot, prior to 1998, was a group of very influential witch and wiz, mostly purebloods, who essentially ran the Ministry of Magic. They also served as the judicial system. These witches and champion inherited their place on the Wizengamot from family members because each influential family in the Brits wizarding world once held a seat in the Wizengamot. The problem with this are obvious because it meant that only thoroughbred and a select few half-bloods had any semblance of power."

Albus was scribbling furiously. He knew the basics of the political system just from overhearing his parents'conversations, but the details were hazy. Now that he was learning the gritty details, he wondered why it took so long for the Ministry to be reorganized. It seemed like it was based solely on lineage status and how much money somebody had, which was n't right.

Embry continued to explicate the old Ministry and the various great power that each somebody or group of hoi polloi in the Ministry had prior to Voldemort 's reign. By the end of the lecture Albus had just over a infantry of note of hand, which was good because Embry had already set them an essay.

"Before you leave, I 'll herald who will be attending Saturday 's argumentation,"Embry said after he finished lecturing."Like last time, Albus Potter, rosebush Weasley, and flatness Eckerton will be able-bodied to serve. The two Hufflepuffs who will be attending are Elaine Asterly and Bird Parker Wayland. The two Gryffindors are Amanda Tagger and Ethan Kesse. You will account to the Great Hall at ten and waiting for instructions from the prefects waiting by the door. Everyone else will be listening to the argumentation via wireless in the Transfiguration classroom. I expect an essay on which candidate you feel made their point better by next class. You are dismissed."

"I guess I wo n't get to go to all the debates after all,"Amanda said as they left the classroom.

"This one will be trade good, though,"rosiness said."You 're lucky they picked you for it."

"Wish I got picked,"John lamented.

"I 'm telling you, just go instead of me,"matte insisted."Tell them I 'm ill and you 're taking my spot."

"I really do n't retrieve they 'll let-"

"provision on being ill on Sabbatum, are you ?"

Albus and his friends stopped in the midsection of the corridor, turning around to see Scorpius Malfoy behind them, his arms crossed across his chest. He looked arrogant and vaguely annoyed as usual, but there was something else there. He looked slightly upset and for some reason, that unnerved Albus.

"devote it a rest, Malfoy,"John said, stepping closer to the Slytherin."We get that you know. We 've gotten over it."

Scorpius stepped closer, ignoring John and turning to lusterlessness."How do you get into the Shrieking Shack ?"he demanded.

matte 's expression paled. John grabbed hold of Scorpius 's robe and dragged him into a nearby classroom. John the Evangelist had at least four inches on Malfoy, so it did n't appear difficult. Albus and the others followed, rosiness shutting and locking the door behind them.

"Why do you want to know about the shrieking Shack ?"John Lackland asked as he let go of Scorpius.

"None of your line of work,"Scorpius said, glancing at the locked door. He slowly drew his scepter.

whoremaster drew his own wand."Put your baton away. And it 's his business which makes it all of our business."John gestured to lustrelessness, who had sat down on one of the desks.

"There 's five of you. Like sin I 'm putting my sceptre away. So I am right, he does metamorphose in the Shrieking shanty,"Scorpius said with a sly grin. The smell of sadness Albus thought he 'd seen was gone ; maybe he 'd imagined it.

"John !"lusterlessness exclaimed."Now look what you 've done !"

"Sorry,"Saint John said."I did n't intend to-"

"Never idea,"Matt said, getting up from the desk and walking over to john and Scorpius."How did you figure it out ?"

"Where else could you metamorphose safely ?"Scorpius asked."I did a little research in the library and that was built the summertime before Remus lupin started at Hogwarts and everyone knows he was a werewolf. No one ever lived in it, but people reported hearing eldritch noise from it. Everyone said it was ghost, but they went strangely quiet seven years later, only to reappear four and a half long time ago, when we started at Hogwarts. Quite a coincidence, I thought. And now I see that I 'm right."

Albus was kind of shocked Scorpio had done all that enquiry and put everything together. Perhaps he was smarter than Albus and his friends gave him credit for.

"fountainhead, you ca n't tell anyone, just like you ca n't secern anyone I 'm a werewolf,"Matt said."Kendrick would exhaust you."

"I do n't care that it 's where you transform,"Scorpius said."The spot is that it 's empty-bellied except for one nighttime of the calendar month. How do you get in ?"

"I 'm not telling,"Matt said.

"amercement, I 'll figure it out myself,"Scorpio said, pointing his sceptre at the door. The lock clicked and he strolled over to the door, opened it, and left.

"That was eldritch,"Albus said as soon as Scorpius was gone.

"Yeah,"Matt said, sitting down on the nearest desk."Why does he want to get in the screaming hutch ?"

"Clearly he needs somewhere that 's empty, but the doubt is what is he planning on doing ?"Rose asked."And did anyone else notice that he seemed a bit sad in the corridor ?"

"I thought I 'd imagined that,"Albus said.

"You did n't. He 's definitely upset about something,"rose said.

Matt groaned."He better not actually visualise out how to get in there."

"If he does, he would n't be dumb enough to go in there during a full lunar month,"Albus pointed out.

"Yeah, but still. That 's my place,"lustrelessness muttered."I need a nap. I think I 'm going to skip dinner and just go back to Gryffindor. I 'll see you later."

matte hopped off the desk and left the room. Albus sighed. The last thing he wanted, amidst all of the election stuff and his family 's dramatic event, was another issue with Scorpius Malfoy, but it looked like things were heading in that counselling.
***


The following good morning when Albus and his friends entered the Great Hall for breakfast the students already eating were much louder than convention. Albus turned to pink wine, who shrugged in mix-up, as they walked inside. Everyone in the room, students and instructor alike, were talking ominously. Copies of the Prophet were exchanging deal faster than the Quaffle during a Gryffindor/Slytherin couple.

"Albus !"St. James shouted once they reached the Gryffindor table."Read this. There 's been a break-out at Azkaban."

"Again ?"Albus exclaimed, hurrying over to where King James I was sitting. He took the report and his Quaker crowded around him.

"Not like last metre,"James said darkly."High-profile prisoners and Thomas More of them. Death eater. There has n't been a break-out like this in long time. Not since our parents were our age."

Albus 's heart began to Irish punt as he unfolded the paper. There it was, right on the front line varlet. A big photo montage of five hoi polloi, all gaunt and evil-looking, was right in the middle, with the words 'Five prisoner Break Out of Azkaban'above them and an clause below them. Albus 's stomach churned when he recognized the delineation of the middle prisoner. It was Quinton Willinson. His eye drifted to the article so he could figure out who the others were.

Early this daybreak Azkaban officials
reported that five heights security prisoners
escaped latterly last night. It is indecipherable how
they managed to do so. The prisoners, all
imprisoned for felonies, should be regarded
as dangerous and should not be approached.

Four of the five prisoner have been in
Azkaban since 1998, having been imprisoned
for war offense. They are Alecto Carrow,
Amycus Carrow, Fenrir Calidris canutus, and Dolores
Umbridge. All but Umbridge are proven Death
eater. The fifth part prisoner, Quinton Willinson,
has been in and out of prison house since 2018,
having escaped and been recaptured just go
year.

'Finding and recapturing these individuals is
our top precedence ,'Head Auror, Harry thrower,
said to reporters early this daybreak. Minister
candidate and nous Azkaban official, Patricia
Laurentis, refused to notice on the break-out.
The Auror department has asked all those with
tips to cover them to the Ministry via owl
immediately.

Albus sat stunned after reading the article. Three dying feeder, Dolores Umbridge, and Quinton Willinson had escaped from Azkaban. How did that happen ? How did five luxuriously security prisoners just escape with no one stopping them ? It did n't make sense.

"This is not going to make Laurentis look serious,"Amanda said quietly.

"Forget Laurentis, this is bad,"Albus said."Very bad. Umbridge is malefic, twisted evil. My dad 's got scars on his hired hand from what she did to him when she was a teacher here. And the Carrows, they were teacher, too. They taught Dark artistry. Not Department of Defense, but actual darkness artistry, and how to rack Muggles. Greyback-"

"Greyback bites the great unwashed, for fun,"Matt said, his typeface pale white."He 's the one who bit Teddy 's dad."

"The four of them,"Albus began,"the four of them make Quinton Willinson look like a unicorn."

"That 's the Wyrd thing,"blush wine said."The others are in prison for life for war offence. Willinson will be in there for a while, but he 'll get password eventually and the only reason he 's a high school security prisoner is because he escaped before. So why did he break in out with the others ? Why did they let him in on it ? They 're up to something."

Albus had n't even thought of that. Why was Quinton Willinson now connected with war felon who had been in prison since before he was born ? It did n't bring in sensation. Albus thought about it throughout all his classes that day, but did n't derive up with any answers.

It was obvious that the Azkaban break-out had unnerved the intact castle. Professors spoke in low whispers when they thought students were n't around, bookman no longer wandered the castle by themselves, and even Scorpius Malfoy seemed a bit more subdued during dueling practice on Thursday.

All five captive still remained at large on Friday, when Ministry officials began arriving for the disputation. Laurentis still had yet to comment on the break-out, which struck Albus as strange. Azkaban was her territory and yet she said zippo on the depicted object.

"Is it just me or are there even more reporters here than there were finally time ?"Albus asked.

"It 's not just you,"Amanda said.

Albus, matt, John, and Amanda were walking back to the castle from Care of Magical Creatures. It was dim going since the full moon was that Night and matt was exhausted, but luckily the conditions was unseasonably warm for Jan. They 'd just been passed by a group of hurried looking reporters coming up from Hogsmeade.

"There 's probably more because of the break-out,"matte said."Laurentis is going to have to finally say something about it tomorrow since the topic is Azkaban."

"Does anyone else think it 's weird that there was a break-out three solar day before the Azkaban public debate ?"Albus asked.

"I thought of that, too,"Amanda said."Very uncanny coincidence."

"Well, it 'll be practiced for your uncle,"John said."Laurentis is going to search like an idiot, not being able-bodied to keep five high security department captive in Azkaban."

Albus nodded. He supposed that was one skillful thing that came from three Death feeder escaping from Azkaban, not that there was anything good about it.

"I 'm skipping Charms,"lustrelessness said through a oscitancy."And ancient Runes."

"I 'm surprised you did n't skim Care of Magical Creatures,"John said.

matte shrugged."I felt okay earlier, probably because of the nap I took in history of Magic."

John laughed."I felt much better after my nap in chronicle of deception, too."

"Very funny,"Matt said as they reached the castle.

Albus found it increasingly hard to digest on anything for the rest period of the day. By the time he went to Ancient Runes he was unable to call back about anything besides the break-out and the fact that Death Eaters were now roaming unfreeze. Deep down he knew he was perfectly safe at Hogwarts, but it was still troubling.

Professor Kendrick welcomed the Ministry officials to Hogwarts at dinner party that Nox and Albus thought back to the last-place debate, when Hogwarts had housed the Ministry functionary. He was very glad that this meter he would n't be confessing to a prank to his uncle in the Gryffindor mutual room. Neither whoremaster or Kaden had done their retaliation trick to the Slytherins yet and Albus sort of hoped they would n't.

After a fitful sleep Albus woke early on Saturday morning and contemplated visiting Matt before everyone else woke up, but figured that Matt would be deceased and thus it would be pointless to natter. He 'd visit with everyone else later, after the debate. They 'd own mickle of time sine there was n't going to be a doubt and answer academic term this time.

At ten o'clock Albus, Rose, and Amanda stood in line in front of the Great dorm, waiting to be let inside. john had decided not to bother asking if he could film mat 's stead, since he did n't want to attract any attending to the fact that Matt was not there.

"Albus,"Rose whispered, poking him in the side."Look. Malfoy 's here."

Albus glanced over to where Rose was pointing and saw that Scorpius was in fact waiting in line. He looked sullen and overthrow again and Albus wished he knew why. It was eldritch seeing Malfoy, the usually arrogant incision, upset.

"conjecture he won the Slytherin stain,"Albus said.

The doors to the Great Hall opened and Albus and rose wine said au revoir to Amanda before they were lead to the front man of the elbow room by a Slytherin prefect. They were seated in the same row they were before, along with the relief of their Hogwarts cousins.

The Great Granville Stanley Hall slowly filled up over the next one-half hour. The rest period of Albus 's cousins, aunts, and uncles arrived, taking spots in the front few wrangle. Albus caught Georgia 's eye as she took her seat in the row on the opponent side of the room from him and she gave him a flimsy grin.

Albus wondered if Laurentis 's campaign handler had actually found anything on Uncle Percy and whether she would say anything during the debate. With the break-out, he hoped she 'd been too busy to dig up much dirt or even think about exposing anything.

Albus turned to the nominal head of the elbow room and watched a very short man accompany Professor Kendrick to the moderator 's rostrum. He was dressed in Ministry blueness robes and had very little fuzz on his head.

"attending, please !"Kendrick shouted. The bunch quieted."Thank you. I 'd like to receive all of you to Hogwarts and introduce our moderator for this daybreak. superior Farleigh, Head of the department of Magical Transportation."

"Thank you, Professor,"the short, balding man said."I 'd now care to stick in our campaigner, although I am surely you all know them. Mr. Harry Hotspur Weasley and Ms. Patricia Laurentis."

Percy and Laurentis walked into the room from one of the antechambers and took their places at each of the podiums. Percy looked as confident as always and Laurentis, despite the scandal of the break-out, looked poised and excited.

"Today we will be debating the juridic scheme, specifically Azkaban prison,"Farleigh announced."The common dominion apply. Five minute controversy, two minute of arc rebuttals."

Laurentis inched nigh to her podium, as if she was readying herself to swoop on whatever Percy said. Percy remained unagitated and collected, continuing to play the role of the coolheaded politico.

"Mr. Weasley, you will answer first. Do you feel that the judicial system as a unit is fair to both the accused and victim of offence ? Are the prison term handed out by the Wizengamot fair ?"

"I believe everyone is able to get a fair run by the Wizengamot,"Percy began."I have reviewed many cases, and while I am not nor do I pretend to be a solicitor, and I feel that the bulk of the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot fit the crime. However, there is always a luck that a someone guilty of a crime will go free, as there is an be luck that someone will be wrongfully imprisoned. The judicial organisation works hard to make sure this happens as infrequently as potential and corrects legal injury when they do occur."

"Ms. Laurentis ?"

"I disagree with my resister,"Laurentis said."Most of the sentences handed out by the Wizengamot are not harsh enough. Ever since the defeat of Voldemort prison sentences have grown shorter, with the exception of those imprisoned for war crimes. And one guilty soul who roams free is too many. If I am elected Minister I will work out hard to ensure that no hangdog people get off. prisoner belong in Azkaban and the Wizengamot is far too lenient."

"Your rebuttal, Mr. Weasley."

"While a goal of not having any hangdog people get set costless is worthy, it is unrealistic,"Sir Henry Percy said."The Wizengamot is composed of witches and wizards like you and me. They are not any more powerful than we are and do not have the ability to know for sure that the accused are shamed. Mistakes go on and while we should mold to minimize them, it is very unrealistic to say that we can get rid of them completely. Ms. Laurentis is offering false hope."

"I am not offering mistaken hope,"Laurentis said."There are spells, potions, ways to see out if masses are guilty that the Wizengamot does not use. If I am elected Minister I will sanction use of these and they will assist the Wizengamot in ensuring that no guilty criminals are set free."

Albus agreed with his uncle. There was no potential way Laurentis could ensure that all malefactor would be imprisoned.

"Next question,"Farleigh said."Ms. Laurentis, you will go first. Do you feel the watchword system is efficacious ?"

Laurentis gave a wry smile before beginning."Much like the Wizengamot, the countersign arrangement is too indulgent. I have seen outlaw shamed of grand larceny get paroled after a mere two years in prison. The statistics are clear-cut, nearly of these felon who are paroled early on in their judgment of conviction wind up back in Azkaban within a twelvemonth, whether for breaking the rules of their watchword or committing another crime. As top dog of Azkaban, I am able-bodied to give my input of whether a prisoner is paroled or not, but in the end it is up to the Wizengamot."

"Mr. Weasley."

"As my opponent has said, many criminals are paroled too quickly. However, I do not trust that leaving them in Azkaban longer is the resolution. If I am elected I will create and support a better system for integrating criminals back into society. Muggles have seen winner with halfway star sign and I feel we should try that in wizarding society."

"Halfway menage ?"Laurentis said with raised eyebrows."An intriguing idea. However, Mr. Weasley lacks the experience that I have with dealing with prisoners. Most are not fit for gild and many never will be. Even with halfway houses they will wind up back in Azkaban. Why spend the money on trying to rehabilitate when it wo n't exercise ?"

"It 's about giving citizenry a probability,"Percy said."Not everyone is a deep in thought cause and should be written off so quickly. Many prisoners have made a few bad option as a result of bad childhood and a bit of rehabilitation will set them straight."

"Thank you, Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh said."Next question. Is Azkaban an seize place to household prisoners ? Is the readiness still doing its job ?"

Percy shifted a bit before answering."Azkaban is an earmark facility for high security captive, but I have always felt that we need a less daunting building to house our lower security prisoner. Right now all criminals, from those who committed petty larceny or skipped bond to those who have murdered masses, are all housed in Azkaban. I have been to Azkaban. Despite the fact that it is no longer in dominance of the dementors it is still a terrifying and high up security berth. It also requires a lot of money for its sustainment. If we were to build a smaller building located on the mainland to house lower security prisoner, we would be able-bodied to decrease disbursal at Azkaban itself. We could then increase security at Azkaban without wasting effort and money on less life-threatening criminals."

"Ms. Laurentis."

"How is building another installation going to save money ?"Laurentis asked."Once again you show your ignorance in the discriminative system and Azkaban. I believe that Azkaban is doing its job perfectly well. I am in mission of the prison, including its upkeep and it is in gross condition. We are not spending an outrageous amount of money on the position. Further, I do not think that less dangerous criminals deserve a lower security prison. They are all crook and if they did not care to be in Azkaban, they should not have committed a crime."

"Maintaining Azkaban is expensive,"Harry Hotspur said."It is also extremely unmanageable to hire guards because of its location and general feel of the stead, not to mention the dangerous malefactor. If we housed less serious crook in another building, it would be easily to find safeguard to cultivate there. We could then use the guard duty willing to guard heights security measure prisoner only to guard in high spirits security measures prisoners. We would no longer have to waste them on grim security prisoners."

"But we will still have to maintain Azkaban, and then another building,"Laurentis pointed out."It just makes far more sense to hold back all criminals in one place and an island is a in force spot to do that-"

"Obviously not that good, given the escape-"

"Mr. Weasley,"Farleigh interrupted."You are speaking out of bit. It is time to run on to the succeeding query. In light of the Recent epoch Azkaban break-out, what do you find needs to be done to ensure it does not happen again ?"

Laurentis gazed out over the crowd. Albus felt like she was looking directly at him, but assumed she just had that power to appear to be looking every soul in the eye at once. She then turned to Percy and gave him one of those creepy grin that seemed to have become her signature facial aspect. Albus turned to Rose, who raised her supercilium and shrugged.

"I am well aware that I have remained quiet on the subject of the break-out,"Laurentis began,"and I have done that on purpose. I see that all of the reporters in the back have their Quik-Quotes Quills poised and make to pen down my every word on this subject. Surely you 're all hoping to be the first to publish my thoughts.

"You 're probably all assuming I will abnegate that there is anything improper with the certificate at the prison and that the break-out was a mere flue and it wo n't happen again. I am not going to say either. There is a problem and if we do not fix it, it will bechance again. Every unmarried one of those at large prisoner is highly grievous and if we do not retake them soon, who knows what will happen. When they are captured, we will need to have better security in berth. After all, what is more crucial that the safety of our minor ? With those five prisoners roaming free, every person in this room, in this palace, in this country is in danger.

"Fortunately, I have a solution. It is a controversial solution, but I feel we need to go to extremes to protect our kinsperson, especially our children. That is why if elected Minister, the first gear thing I will do is reinstate the dementors as Azkaban guards."


Sorry about the cliff hanger ! I did n't desire to do it but the chapter was twice as long as they normally are and there really was n't a secure place to divide it. Thanks for all the adorable reviews !


Albus let out a gasp, as did everyone else in the room. The Great Hall was suddenly in chaos. Everyone was whispering and a few masses had let out watchword of outrage or excitation. Albus could practically discover the reporters'shaft scratching across gyre of parchment, and Laurentis was grinning again. Percy stood behind his podium, his rima oris seeming to be frozen in a encompassing, gaping positioning. Farleigh was attempting to gain decree, and failing.

"That is literally mad !"rose wine exclaimed."Reinstate the dementors ? Is she mad ? Is she throwing the election ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus said."But she must be mad. Will people actually sanction of this ? Will she even be capable to do it ?"

Rose nodded."Whoever she gets to replace herself as Head of Azkaban will surely want the dementors back, too. Then she 'll approve it as government minister and it 'll pass."

"But it would be stupid to make for them back,"Albus said.

"It would,"blush wine agreed."They 're severe and their loyalty changes so easily. But to be honest, I 'm not trusted everyone will feel that way. Not with those prisoner on the loose."

"Quiet, quieten !"Professor Kendrick shouted. The crowd finally settled down.

"Mr. Weasley, it is your turn of events to speak,"Farleigh said exasperatingly.

Sir Henry Percy shook his principal to regain his composure. He 'd fall back his cool, calm air, and collected politician look and now he looked more like he did after arguing with Georgia about her Quidditch vocation.

"Well, I, er, do not consider that dementors are the reply to the security problems in Azkaban,"Percy said."What we need are more skilled guards in charge of highschool security prisoner as well as a revamp of the spell and captivation currently keeping prisoners inside. It will also help to go over the governing body of the safety device docket because at the time of the escape, only three guards were maintaining that constituent of the prison. That was surely an oversight that could induce been prevented."

"homo mistake,"Laurentis said."It happens and it will happen again. Can we really risk the lives of our shaver in the chance that another error will happen ? Dementors were rise guards who did not countenance prisoners to escape. During their reign in Azkaban, before their dedication changed, only one person managed to fly the coop. Since their removal we have had numerous escapes."

"open evidence that we need to vamp prison security,"Percy said."But dementors are not the solution. They are dangerous brute and as you said, their allegiance changed. What 's to say that wo n't come about again if, God forbid, another Voldemort were to rise to power ? If anyone offered those dementors a skillful mountain than we did they 'd hold a hale prison of grievous criminals at their disposal to do their bidding. It 's not deserving the risk."

"Another Voldemort is not going to wax to tycoon,"Laurentis said with a laugh."We have learned from our history and it wo n't happen again."

"You ca n't guarantee that,"Percy said."Even if there is a very minuscule chance of it happening, it is not worth risking having dementors guard Azkaban."

"Mr. Weasley, Ms. Laurentis,"Farleigh said."It is time to move on-"

"You are talking about a hypothetical !"Laurentis exclaimed, throwing her hands up in the air."I am talking about what is happening now ! Five unsafe criminals have escaped, four of whom were on Voldemort 's English during the war, and are out there, wreaking havoc as we speak. If the dementors were guarding Azkaban this never would have happened."

"Now look who 's talking hypotheticals !"Sir Henry Percy shouted back, ignoring Farleigh 's vain attempts to get both nominee to stop talking."For all we know they would 've escaped anyway !"

Laurentis let out a deep laugh."Five prisoners escape when the dementors are allied with the Ministry ? That 's laughable. Only one someone was able to do that and it was because he was an Animagus. None of the prisoners are Animagi. We test for that before admitting anyone to the prison."

"Be that as it may, dementors are life-threatening witching creatures. Not to mention the ethics of subjecting prisoner to their effects-"

"prisoner have no right,"Laurentis said."They give up their rightfield when they commit crimes-"

"Basic homo rights !"Percy exclaimed."There are basic human rights that everyone deserves ! Talk about learning from our history. History tells us what happens when someone believes they are above others. Or do you not commemorate the reign of Voldemort ?"

"I lost my mother to that war !"Laurentis said."Do n't you narrate me that I do n't think of it."

Albus was on the bound of his seat. His uncle was so red in the look that he was starting to turn purple and resemble Kaden 's grandfather. Laurentis 's hairsbreadth was breaking unloose from its tight bun and there was a vein popping out in her forehead. Farleigh was still trying to get both candidates to stop talking and failing miserably, while every early person in the Great Hall sat completely still, staring at Walker Percy and Laurentis.

"Silence !"prof Kendrick shouted in a magically hyperbolize voice.

Both Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis immediately quieted. The vena on Laurentis 's frontal bone continued to throb, and Sir Henry Percy still looked like an overripe tomato.

"I think we 've run out of fourth dimension,"Farleigh said, in a articulation barely more than a close call."Thank you all for coming."

"pupil, please riposte to your plebeian rooms,"Kendrick announced."Lunch will be in an hour. As a reminder, there is no question and answer session today."

The voicelessness rose up immediately after Kendrick stopped speaking and since everyone was whispering the noise level rose very high. Albus, Rose, and Amanda joined the queue of the great unwashed ambling to pull up stakes the Great Hall, and without even talking about it, went immediately to the vulture 's Den, where they found bathroom and Kaden.

"What the bloody snake pit is she trying to do ?"John asked as soon as Albus shut the threshold.

"She 's lost her judgment !"rose shouted as she began pacing around the room."She has legitimately lost her mind. That 's the but explanation."

"Well there 's no way she 'll win now,"Albus pointed out."Dementors ?"

"It 's a bit convenient, do n't you think ?"Rose asked."This break-out happens and then she announces she wants the dementors back ? It did n't go like a plan she 'd just come up with."

"We 've got to find out if she 's tried to get them back before,"Albus said."If she has it 'll be in the seer tomorrow."

"Dementors ..."Kaden murmured."They 're what sucked all the felicity out of us when we were in Australia last class, right ?"

Albus nodded."They 're abominable creatures."

"And they used to guard the prison ?"Amanda asked incredulously."That 's just wrong."

"It is,"Rose said darkly."That 's why after Voldemort they stopped using them as guards. That and all the dementors changed loyalty and let expiry eater escape."

"Would they even come back, though ?"Kaden asked."I mean, if they switched commitment so easily ...."

"They 'll go wherever they 're offered the most humans to feed off of."Rose shuddered."Voldemort offered them far more than even Azkaban could provide. But right now they do n't suffer a good reference. They just travel around, feeding. They 'll guard if given the opportunity."

"Should n't citizenry be against it ?"Amanda asked."It 's so ethically wrong."

"That 's why it was dull of her to announce it,"Albus pointed out.

"She would n't foretell anything if she did n't think it would get her voting,"Rose said."nearly the great unwashed our parents'age and elder, who lost enjoy one in the war, will have absolutely no fellow feeling for Death eater and would n't care if the dementors were brought back, especially if Laurentis could then assure no one would escape."

Albus had n't thought of that and apparently no one else did, either, because the room grew quiet. Albus sank onto one of the couch and started counting the number of Bertie Bott 's Every-Flavor Beans that were scattered on the floor. He got to twenty-three before anyone said anything.

"I wonder what Malfoy thinks of all this,"John mused."Was n't his dad a demise Eater ? So he should n't want the dementors back in Azkaban, but the way he was talking in the tercet broomstick a piece back made it seem like he 's very against your uncle."

"Of course he 's against my uncle,"Albus said."His whole family dislikes my whole family and it goes the other way, too. But his dad was never found guilty of his criminal offense so he never did meter in Azkaban."

"Surely his dad 's got friends there,"whoremaster said.

Albus shrugged."Probably."To be honest, he did n't really care what Malfoy thought about Laurentis and Uncle Percy.

"We should go to luncheon and then visit Matt,"Rose said."snap him up on all this."

Albus had completely forgotten that matt was still in the hospital wing, in the midst of Laurentis 's annunciation. He felt vaguely guilty about it, but at to the lowest degree pink wine had remembered.

Everyone gathered for lunch in the Great Hall was talking about Laurentis 's desire to land back the dementors. Percy, Laurentis, and the Ministry officials were still there, having lunch with the professors at the staff table, and all were oceanic abyss in word. Albus would 've loved to be able to listen in on their conversations, but wearing the invisibleness Cloak in the crowded Great residence was n't a good idea.

"Better get used to the idea of your dad being Minister,"one of the 7th years was saying to Omar Nelson Bradley."No one 's going to vote for Laurentis now."

Bradley muttered something under his breath that Albus could n't hear. Albus took a seat a few hoi polloi down from his cousin and began to attain a sandwich.

"She 's got my whole family 's right to vote now,"one of the other seventh years said."Both of my grandparents were killed by Fenrir Greyback. If the dementors will catch him and hold back him in there forever, it 'd make all of us sleep better."

There were a few nods from former older scholar sitting nearby. Albus was slightly shocked. If this many students approved of her estimation, a lot of adults probably did, too. And these were seventh class ; they could vote.

"Wait, the dementors find crook, too ?"Kaden asked."I thought that 's what Aurors did."

"Only the really awful escaped prisoners,"Albus said."My dad 's Godfather, Sirius, when he escaped, the dementors were given permission to give him the Dementor 's Kiss if they caught him."

"What 's the Dementor 's Kiss ?"Amanda asked.

Albus shuddered."It 's where they suck out mortal 's soul."

"And they die ?"Amanda asked quietly.

Albus shook his oral sex."No, they live without a soul. Everyone says it 's spoiled than dying."

"And they were going to do that to Sirius ?"Kaden replied.

Albus nodded."He was the first-class honours degree to elude Azkaban. He 's the one Laurentis was talking about and at the sentence everyone thought he murdered thirteen Muggles and gave my grandparents up to Voldemort."

"That 's absolutely frightful !"Amanda exclaimed. She turned to the few one-sixth and seventh twelvemonth who had said they 'd vote for Laurentis."How can you wish that on individual ?"

"If your grandparents were murdered by Death eater you would, too,"one of the girlfriend snapped.

"Albus 's grandparents were murdered by Voldemort and he does n't want the dementors back at Azkaban,"Amanda pointed out.

"well, Voldemort 's dead,"the little girl said."Maybe if Rebel were beat I 'd finger differently. But he 's not so I want the dementors back."

"I do n't think she 's going to lose as easily as we thought,"Amanda said quietly.

"Of course she 's not,"rosiness said."This is probably better for right to vote than digging up dirt on Uncle Percy."

"It 's absolutely barbaric,"Amanda said, shoving her plate forward."Sucking out individual 's soul ? And they just imbibe your happy computer memory out ?"

"Yeah,"Albus answered, thinking back to the former June. He shuddered."You 're forced to relive your risky memories."

"That 's all you can cogitate about ?"Amanda asked."Just the bad ones ?"

Albus nodded."My dad said it makes you go mad after a while."

"Of course it does !"Amanda shouted."That 's just not right ! Are you lot done eating yet ? I ca n't sit here anymore."

Albus was surprised Amanda had had such a potent reaction to the dementors, but he supposed coming from the Muggle humankind, where she had n't even have intercourse such creature existed, it would be a bit of a shock. He was even more storm that she 'd nearly gotten into a shouting equal with a seventh year over them, when she was normally so quiet.

"I 'm done,"rose wine said.

"Me, too,"Albus said as he got up.

whoremaster and Kaden each grabbed the remaining half of their sandwiches and followed the others out of the Great Hall. Amanda lead the way, stomping her feet a bit more forcefully than was necessary.

"It 's just wrong on so many levels !"she said as she led them to the hospital Wing."It 's torture, honestly. That 's what it is. Emotional torture. Ca n't they just be killed off or something ?"

"They do n't die,"Rose said."They ca n't. They just kind of ... exist. Once my mum gets word of this, well, she 's not going to stay put quiet."

"And she should n't,"Amanda said."Can she lay off Laurentis ?"

"Not if Laurentis is Minister,"pink wine answered."Right now Mum 's the Senior Assistant of Magical Law Enforcement, so if Laurentis tried to get this to pass now, my mum could avail stop it. But diplomatic minister Hartwell would never put something like this through."

"They 're foul animal,"Amanda continued."Having them safeguard anything or anyone is a frightful idea."

Albus decided now would not be a good time to differentiate Amanda that when his dad was a third gear twelvemonth Hogwarts was guarded by dementors.

"A dementor went after my dad once,"Kaden announced as they continued to the hospital Wing."Albus 's dad saved him with a Patronus. Then he nearly got expelled for doing minor magic in the presence of a Muggle."

"You 're kidding,"Amanda said."God, the Ministry really was screwed up when your parents were at Hogwarts. This is the sorting of thing Embry should be using as examples."

"I doubt it 's a well-known fact,"Albus said."That the renowned Harry Potter nearly got expelled."

"It 's a unplayful instance of injustice,"Amanda said.

"You sound just like my mum,"Rose said."It 's creepy. Does n't she ?"

Albus agreed."You do go just like her mum."

"Your mum has the correct thought,"Amanda said as they reached the hospital Wing.

flatness was the lone patient in the ward. The pall were n't drawn around his bed and he was sitting up and eating a bowling ball of soup, which was a full mark. Madam Pomfrey was sitting at her desk, working on charts, and muttering to herself about something.

"Hey, how are you feeling ?"Albus asked when they got to his bed.

"fine,"matt said."trio cracked costa and a lot of tight cuts, but I 'm fine. Listen, I heard the debate. dame Pomfrey had it on on the wireless. How insane is Laurentis ? ! You should take heard ma'am Pomfrey ranting about her earlier."

"You 're not to repeat what you heard,"Madam Pomfrey said."But Albus and rosiness, you can distinguish your uncle that he 's got my vote. Always thought he was a little pompous when he was at Hogwarts but at to the lowest degree he 's not dumb enough to apply dementors as safeguard of Azkaban."

"Amanda 's on a rampage,"Albus said.

"It 's kind of funny,"John added.

"It is not singular !"Amanda exclaimed."It 's serious."

"It 's just that you 're so quiet, but you got into it with that seventh year."

"I did not get into it with a seventh year !"Amanda shouted and turned to Matt."John 's exaggerating. She announced that she and her family were all going to vote for Laurentis because her grandparents were killed by Greyback and she wants to make for sure he stays in prison."

mat toyed with his blanket and did n't fulfill Amanda 's eye.

"What ?"she asked."Do n't tell me you want the dementors in Azkaban."

"I do n't,"lusterlessness said quickly."It 's not that. It 's the whole Limnodromus griseus matter, I can screen of see where she 's coming from. It 's got to be scary, knowing he 's out there when he killed her grandparents .... I mean, I guess I 've always been sort of lucky. The bloke who bit me is in prison and has been since he bit me."

Albus had never heard matte talk about the werewolf who bit him, except for mentioning that he 's in prison.

"He gets out side by side class,"Matt said quietly."He can get paroled."

"Do you know much about him ?"Albus asked.

"Just his epithet and how old he was,"matt said."My parents know a bit more but they 've never told me and I 've never asked."

"Is the Aboriginal Australian prison guarded by dementors ?"Amanda asked.

matte shook his head."No, and it never has been. And I do n't think prison house should be guarded by dementors. But greyback ... he 's shivery. He 's risky than Silas Humphrey, that was the lad who bit me. Humphrey 's onset on me, that was an accident. Greyback bit people on determination. He 'd bite the great unwashed and then raise them in his mob. That 's why he liked going for kids. Teddy 's dad ... Johnny Reb bit him and tried to get his parents to leave him up. They did n't, of path, but a lot of parents did."

Albus swallowed hard. He had n't known that about teddy bear 's dad and was n't even sure if teddy knew that. slip 's dad 's parents died hanker before teddy was born and Albus doubted his grandmother knew that.

"How 'd you find that out ?"Albus asked.

"When we first moved here Amy learned about Teddy 's dad when she was catching up on Brits history of trick. She told me all about him and how successful he wound up being just to make me sense better. But then I decided to research early werewolves and found out about Greyback in one of my dad 's books. It talked about his whole thing with biting kidskin. It never said Teddy 's dad specifically was one of those Thomas Kid but I figured he must 've been."

"That 's horrible,"Albus said quietly. The others nodded.

"He had a whole mob of werewolves to do his dictation,"flatness said."And now he 's out. What if he wants to do that again ?"

"Bite people and make a clique ?"Albus asked.

matte nodded."That or get people who 've already been bitten."

Albus saw where this was going now."He 's not going to find you. Hogwarts is safe."

"That 's what everyone always says, but the yesteryear few years it really has n't. Remember lowest year ?"

"Technically we were n't in the palace when we got taken to Commonwealth of Australia. We were in the Floo. So if we just stick around in the castle ..."Albus pointed out.

"It 's still not a guarantee,"matt said."I wonder how many citizenry he bit shoemaker's last night."

Albus did n't answer. There was no way of knowing what Fenrir Limnodromus griseus did during the full phase of the moon moon, just like there was no way to ensure that Hogwarts would be safe. All Albus and his champion could do was hope that it would be dependable and that the escaped expiry feeder would be recaptured soon. Albus still thought having dementors safety Azkaban was an absolutely severe idea, but after listening to flatness lecture about Silas Humphrey and Fenrir Limnodromus griseus, he sort of understood why some people might want the dementors back at Azkaban and thus vote for Laurentis. She might even get elected just because of this. And that, when it came down to it, was what scared Albus the most.


A/N : No cliffhanger this time ! Thanks for all the wondrous brushup ! If you like vulture era, please check out my fresh novel, Between Here and Somewhere !


"I guess Laurentis has been trying to get the dementors reinstated in Azkaban for year,"Albus said the succeed morning time at breakfast, as he set down a copy of the Prophet.

The article on the debate had been a long one, taking up nearly the entire front pageboy. It featured a pic of Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis arguing with each early, and Albus was able to see his uncle 's face turning steadily more empurpled, despite the fact that the picture was in disastrous and white. The article that followed detailed Laurentis 's apparently years-long campaign to convey the dementors back. She had put the proposition up for vote four clip and it was shot down by Minister Hartwell each meter.

"Of trend he shot it down,"Rose said after skimming the article."It 's a stupid musical theme. Oh, look, they 've quoted my mum. I 'll read it. 'Hermione Weasley, Senior help of Magical Law Enforcement, when asked about Laurentis 's proposal, said, 'It 's absolutely barbaric. Everybody, including prisoner, have basic human right hand that can not be broken. I thought we 'd moved past the days when the Ministry sanctioned emotional abuse of its prisoners and the thought that a woman running for Minister is proposing this is quite frankly horrifying. It is my sincere promise that the people of wizarding United Kingdom will think long and surd about the effects this will have, not only on prisoners, but on our society as well, before they cast their votes in April. ''"

"Always one to speak her mind, your mum,"Albus said.

"I could n't tally more,"Amanda replied."Although if Laurentis wins I bet she gets sacked."

"She ca n't,"rosiness said."Her job is n't appointed solely by the parson. If she were chief of the department, then yes, but she is n't head yet. It 's confusing."

"commodity,"Amanda said."We 'll need some sane mass in there if Laurentis is elected."

"What are you lot doing today ?"bathroom asked, steering the conversation away from the election."Kaden and I are going to pass the day plotting our new prank."

"I do n't want to screw,"blush wine said, holding up her hired man."I 'm probably going to go to the library."

"I 'll go with you,"Amanda said."I want to enquiry dementors and their use in Azkaban."

"Quidditch pattern,"Albus replied."All day. We 've got to get set for the peer on Saturday against Ravenclaw. After the last lucifer, we 've got to make sure we we win by a decent quantity of points if we 're going to takeover Slytherin 's office for the Cup."

"Oh yeah,"Kaden said."Whatever happened with that Olivia girl ? She had a huge crush on James, did n't she ?"

Albus laughed."I 've no idea."

"She sent James a box of chocolates for Yule,"Cedric, who had been sitting following to Albus, whispered."But you did n't hear that from me."

"I was there when he opened his present,"Albus said.

"She gave them to him before we went home for the holiday,"Cedric explained."She hijacked our thestral carriage and wound up riding to the train with us."

"How awkward was that ?"Albus asked, still giggling.

"Very,"Cedric said as he glanced over his shoulder joint."She stared at him the unhurt time."

"Creepy,"Albus said.

"Shh,"Cedric said."He 's coming over."

"I think I 'm going to go visit Matt before Quidditch practice,"Albus said."I 'll see you later ?"

"Sure,"Rose said."You know where to find me."

"And us !"King John announced."Marauder 's Den. harlequinade planning."

"I do n't require to be involved,"Albus said as he got up.

St. John shrugged."causa yourself."

Albus hurried up to the Hospital Wing and managed to get inside without gentlewoman Pomfrey noticing, although the nurse would n't have minded him being there. But she was very lost with two students who had somehow fused their left arms together. flatness was already awake and much cheerier than he had been the old day, when talking about Greyback. He was pretty sure lady Pomfrey was going to let him out that night, so they agreed to run across in the predator 's Den just before dinner.

Quidditch recitation went very well and Albus was fairly certain they would pose Ravenclaw on Saturday. No one mentioned the election or Laurentis 's wanting to institute back the dementors, which was a surely sign that matter were getting back to normal at Hogwarts. Albus spent the rest of the day in the marauder 's Den working on his preparation with lustrelessness while trying to avoid hearing any part of John and Kaden 's new prank.

The week went by quickly since Albus spent every import he was n't in class on the Quidditch pitch. But the weather remained decorous so it was pleasurable. The exclusively day Albus was n't on the pitch shot was Thursday, when he had dueling practice session.

"When 's the side by side tournament ?"Amanda asked as she and Albus walked into the Transfiguration schoolroom, where they were were scheduled to practice. heather was there to supervise, sitting in a corner. A few of the team appendage were there already, including Malfoy.

"Weekend after this one,"Albus said."I think we 'll do well."Albus glanced over to Malfoy, expecting some sort of snarky retort from him. But he was n't even paying attention. Instead he was hunched over a long piece of parchment."wonderment what he 's doing ?"

Amanda shrugged."final stage arcminute homework ?"

Suddenly, Malfoy sat up straight and crumpled the piece of lambskin. He shoved it into his pouch and stood up, staring at Albus as he did so. He looked saturnine and averted his middle after only a few seconds.

"I do n't think that 's homework,"Albus said.

"Wyrd,"Amanda said.

"Very,"Albus agreed."Let 's get started ! I think we should practice blocking."He took a sidelong glance at Malfoy, expecting him to scoff and claim that they already knew how to occlude, but instead Malfoy just turned to the student nearest to him and began to do as Albus said. What was even uncanny was that the scholar he partnered with was a second year Hufflepuff. Albus blinked to make certain he was n't seeing things and then began shooting patch at Amanda while she blocked them.

The recitation session got stranger as the night went on, in terms of Malfoy 's behavior. Not once did he back guess what Albus said and he did n't say one word to anyone that was n't directly related to dueling. Heather raised her eyebrow at Albus on numerous occasions since she had supervised Albus 's practices before and knew how much Malfoy usually tried to be the captain. He ran out of the room as soon as the practice was over, looking vaguely upset, as he had at the disputation.

"That was the foreign affair ever,"Amanda said as she and Albus walked back to the Gryffindor plebeian room."And I witnessed my brother attempt to brew a potion this by summer and drink it, thinking that it would turn him into a wizard."

Albus burst out laughing."Was he really disappointed that he did n't get a Hogwarts alphabetic character ?"

Amanda nodded."I never thought he would but did n't tell him that. But do you have any idea why Malfoy did n't contend with you tonight ?"

"I 've no estimate,"Albus said."But I really hope he stays this way."

"I bet it had something to do with whatever he was reading when we walked in."

"I wonder what it was."

Amanda shrugged."No idea, but I wish I did. It 's just so odd."

"Whatever it is, I hope it keeps him like this during side by side week 's tournament."

"Albus ! What if it 's something really awfully ?"Amanda asked.

Albus had n't thought about that."Well, we do n't have a go at it that it is, so I do n't have to think about it."

"Albus, I doubt anything good would make Malfoy keep out up like that,"Amanda reasoned."I 'm just saying, it might be something awful."
***


Gryffindor 's propensity to play Quidditch during really bad weather came up in wide-cut force on Sat, when the unseasonably quick temperatures decided to desert Hogwarts. In its place were freezing cold temperatures and a ululation snow violent storm that probably should have resulted in the lucifer being canceled. But since Hogwarts never canceled Quidditch, Albus was preparing himself for a low-down match. He wished they could sustain nice weather, like they had when they played Slytherin in November.

The conclusion time Albus had played in a storm this bad he 'd been in his second year and wander up in the hospital wing with the flu afterward. He certainly did not need a repeat of that so he was hoping that James River would becharm the Snitch Sooner rather than later.

"Fred, this is crazy,"Ryan said as they stood in the room access of the changing rooms, waiting for the match to begin."There is literally no way to see the Snitch in this."

"There 's nothing I can do about it,"Fred snapped. Everyone could tell he was stressed about this mates, since they 'd lost to Slytherin."We have to trifle unless Kendrick calls it off."

Ryan was veracious. Albus stared out onto the auction pitch and all he saw was white. The snow was swirling and blowing and Albus could n't tell if more nose candy was actually falling or if it was all just getting blown around. But either way, finding a Snitch in it was going to be near impossible.

"I 'll captivate it,"Henry James said confidently."Do n't worry."

"We 're not going to be able-bodied to find out the commentary,"Fred said."Just fascinate it as soon as you can. Do n't interest about catching it after we 're up a certain figure of dot. We just need a win at this point."

There was a very dull, quiet bellowing of hand clapping and Fred led the team out onto the pitch. The balls were released and Albus flew up into the raging storm. Soon, he did n't know which way was up or down, let alone where the Quaffle was. After about ten minutes of meandering around the pitch, not knowing where he was going, the Quaffle suddenly appeared. Albus caught it, but had no idea where the goal posts were.

Albus flew directly ahead, hoping it was in the right direction, but instead of reaching the destination stake, he reached the base. Groaning, he turned and headed toward the goal posts. At to the lowest degree he now knew where they were. He managed to score, mostly because Ravenclaw 's Keeper did n't see him.

The peer continued in chaos, with no one knowing where anyone else was. Albus did n't see a single Bludger the whole fourth dimension and assumed the Beaters were just trying to keep running of them rather than trying to get them to hit the opposition squad 's histrion. Fred had been right about the commentary ; Albus could n't hear a word of it.

It felt like he was playing a match by himself. The only other thespian he saw were the Ravenclaw quester, Fred, and Heather. They had given up chasing as a team and instead, when one of them got the Quaffle, they flew it down to the goal posts as best they could.

"Albus, Albus !"individual shouted.

Albus turned and squinted, but he could n't make out anyone flying near him.

"Albus !"

Albus continued flying in a rope trying to figure out who it was. He did n't even recognize their voice, but it could sustain been distorted by the twist. Finally, he began to make out a figure flying toward him. It was Heather.

"Albus !"she shouted once she reached him."The match has been canceled. We 're all to recall to our common room the right way now."

Albus nodded, figuring that Kendrick finally came to his pot. It was just impossible to play a undecomposed biz of Quidditch in a storm like this.

When Albus and Heather finally reached the changing elbow room they found the relaxation of the team sitting in their wet Quidditch robes, their faces pale. Albus noticed that even broom looked slightly afraid.

"What 's going on ?"Albus asked.

"You were flying so richly, you probably did n't hear,"Fred said as Albus sat down."The match was n't canceled because of the weather."

"But it 's so bad out there,"Albus said."That mate was pointless."

"One of the Ravenclaw first twelvemonth,"Fred continued, ignoring Albus,"she was late to the match and on her way down she saw-"Fred paused, swallowing hard."She saw Fenrir Greyback on the grounds."

"What ?"Albus exclaimed, suddenly feeling offensive."But it 's so snowy. How could she possibly know for certain ?"

"She ca n't, of form,"Fred said."But she went running to professor Longbottom as soon as she reached the lurch and told him. That 's when they canceled the match and sent everyone back to the castle."

As if he heard Fred acknowledgment his name, professor Longbottom walked into the changing room, looking scared himself."I 'm going to see you all back to the common elbow room. Wands out as we walk."

Albus drew his wand and followed the rest of his teammates out of the changing elbow room. They were all lull on the walk back to the rook since the storm was still raging. No one would get been able to hear anything anyone said, even if anyone felt like talking. Albus felt too ill to talk. The thought of Fenrir knot being idle was bad enough, after hearing what Matt knew about him, but the thought of him being here, on the Hogwarts terra firma, was too awful to even think about.

As they walked up to the castle and then up to Gryffindor tower Albus kept telling himself that it was fully possible that the Ravenclaw girl had n't seen Fenrir Calidris canutus. She was probably just thinking about the miss captive and imagined something. Albus had n't even been able to shit out his own first cousin when she 'd been calling his name in this storm. What were the chances of a initiatory year being able to pick out Fenrir Reb ?

But still ... what if it had been Rebel ? He had to be somewhere, so why not Hogwarts ?

The rough-cut elbow room was buzzing with chattering when the team entered a inadequate while later. Albus avoided everyone, including his friends, until after he went up to his student residence to take a shower bath. He was shivering and felt awful and did n't want to lecture to anyone until after he was in dry clothes.

To his surprise his protagonist were all gathered in his dormitory after he got out of the shower. Bilius and Ethan were n't there, and the doorway was shut.

"We ca n't go to the Marauder 's Den,"lusterlessness explained."We 're not allowed to leave our common elbow room until farther notice."

"Are they doing an investigation ?"Albus asked as he sat down on his bed."And what exactly happened ? Fred only explained a little before Longbottom came to take us back to the castle."

"It was weird,"Rose said."No one really knew what was happening because it was so snow-covered and the hint was so forte. We could n't see the lucifer, so we were just standing there using a lot of heating charms and hoping things would be over soon. But then we started hearing whisperings about Greyback on the curtilage. Then, probably two second later, Kendrick magically amplified his voice and told us all that we 're to report back to our common suite immediately and to take the air back with our scepter out and in large radical.

"So then, even though Kendrick never said for indisputable, we knew that someone had seen knot on the priming coat. It was so scary. Eventually we found out that one of the Ravenclaw outset age thought she saw him on her way to the match and told prof Longbottom. But besides that we do n't fuck much. No one 's told us anything for sure and we 've just been hanging out here and talking."

"But what 's he doing here ?"Kaden asked."And I thought there were Aurors guarding Hogwarts."

"It was planned,"Matt said."Do n't you see ? That storm out there is so bad that no one can see three base in figurehead of them and the wind is so tatty no one can hear anything either. It was the perfect day for him to pinch onto the grounds, and if that girl had n't seen him who knows what he would 've done."

"So you think she really saw him ?"Albus asked skeptically."You said it yourself, no one can see anything."

"For all we know he said something to her,"lustrelessness said."No one knows the full account yet."

"But why ?"Kaden asked."Seems really stupid to me. If he escaped he should be hiding out in the mountains, not going to Hogwarts where there are Aurors."

"Remember what I said after he escaped ?"Matt asked quietly."This just confirms it. He 's going to try to create his own loup-garou army again. He was insane before Azkaban ; imagine how crazy he is now. They do n't take dementors in prison to build multitude go insane."

"And you think-"

"That he came to try and figure out how to trump positioning himself to prick kids during the total moonshine ?"matte interrupted."Yeah, I do."

Albus shuddered."That 's sick."

"That 's what he does,"matte said. He looked more upset than everyone else."But what I do n't get is why it seems like he 's trying for Hogwarts child. Last time he went for really vernal kids."

"But we do n't even bed for sure that 's what he 's up to,"bathroom pointed out."I mean it makes sense, but we still do n't know."

"Still,"matte said."You have to promise me you wo n't go outside during the fully lunation. I do n't want any of you joining me in the Shack."

John looked skeptical."There 's other reasons why he could be here."

"hope me,"Matt repeated, staring directly at John."It 's not worth the risk."

John shrugged."Yeah, I promise."Everyone else nodded.

"What about the rest of them ?"Amanda asked."Do you think they 're working together ?"

"I do n't know,"Albus began."I 'm certain the Carrows are together and Umbridge might be with them. But I doubt Willinson and Greyback are with them. The Carrows were Death Eaters, but Greyback was n't technically a end eater. Voldemort used him, but always thought he was scum because he 's a loup-garou. The Carrows probably agreed. And Willinson, he 's got no connection, which is why I 'm still confused as to why he broke out with them."

"For all we know they left the door surface and he followed,"John Lackland said with a laugh.

Amanda groaned."Everyone 's got their own cell in gamey security."

"Oh, yeah, I suppose you 're right,"John said.

"Two demise eater, a war criminal, a werewolf, and Willinson,"Albus said."It 's so random. Why them ?"

"audio like the showtime of a joke,"John the Divine said."Two Death Eaters, a war criminal, a werewolf, and Willinson walk into a pub ...."

flatness groaned."Do n't even go there. I just really hope they catch him before the next full moon. There was n't anything in the Prophet about him biting anyone this last-place full moon, but I do n't consider he 'd go two moonlight without biting. And there 's no way he 'd go on Wolfsbane, even if he could get some."

"I wonder where the others are,"rosiness mused."You think they 're just hiding out ?"

"They must be,"Albus said."There have n't been any sightings."

There was a bang on the threshold and then it opened. James walked inside and sat down on the end of Albus 's bed.

"Longbottom just came to talk to us,"he said."We 'll be allowed to pull up stakes the common room for dinner party, but not before that."

"Did they catch him ?"matt asked anxiously.

"No,"King James said."But, Longbottom said the owner of dame Puddifoot 's also saw him, so the Ravenclaw girl probably did see him. They 've scoured Hogsmeade and there 's no mansion of him, though."

"Are they rescheduling the match ?"Albus asked.

James nodded."Next Saturday. serious affair, too, because I do n't reckon that one would 've ever ended. Do n't tell Fred, but there 's no way I would 've seen the Snitch."

"One upside to Reb being on the evidence, I guess,"Albus said.

"Lucky he did n't attack that girl,"matt said as Saint James left."He attacks people even when he 's not transformed."

"He did that to my uncle Federal Reserve note,"Albus said.

"Really ?"Matt asked.

Albus nodded."At the end of my dad 's 6th year, the nighttime Dumbledore was killed. He does n't transform, but he likes really rare core. Like hardly cooked at all meat."

"Eww !"Kaden exclaimed."That 's complete. Wait, flatness, do you like really rare marrow ?"

flatness grinned."Yeah. I hardly ever get it, though. Mum refuses to let me eat it because she thinks it 'll realise me ill. And they do n't serve it here."

"My uncle eats it all the time,"Albus said."aunty Fleur likes her steaks pretty rare, too. So does Teddy for that matter."

"I like mine well done,"Kaden said.

"Now that 's what 's crying,"Matt replied."I should ask the theater elves to make me rarefied steak."

"They probably would,"rose wine said."They make you pretty often whatever you want."

"Let 's go tonight,"Matt said."We have n't been down there in ages."

Kaden groaned."So we 're going to consume to see you eating a small-arm of raw gist ?"

"Not raw,"Matt said."Slightly cooked, bit of blood line dripping out."

"Oh, gross !"Kaden shouted."I 'm going back down to the common room."

Albus laughed and Matt grinned as Kaden ran out of the way. There was nada like a trip-up to the kitchens to get their idea off of Rebel and the other escaped convicts.


A/N : Sorry for the deep update ! I totally forgot it was Friday. Thanks for all the wonderful reappraisal ! Please chink out my Marauders fic, Between Here and Somewhere.


The first year who saw Greyback on the primer coat became an second Hogwarts celebrity. By the next day her entire level had spread throughout the scholar soundbox like wildfire, and every single person in the castle knew her figure. She was Quinn Gregory, a tiny girl who looked like she belonged in the Weasley clan with her long red haircloth and spray of freckles across her nerve. Quinn seemed to be enjoying her newfound fame and always had a crowd of people around her, asking her to recite the story.

Albus, himself, had heard the story at to the lowest degree five times. Quinn had been running to the pitch, late, because she 'd spent a half 60 minutes trying to convince one of her roomy to go to the match, but in the end her roomy had decided she did n't want to brave out the tempest. Quinn then spotted someone lurking near the nursery and went to investigate, but instead of finding another student, she found Fenrir Greyback. Apparently Greyback had said 'hi, little girl'to Quinn, who then took off running even faster for the Quidditch auction pitch. Rebel then escaped to Hogsmeade and who knows after that.

As the week progressed Quinn 's story grew until it ended with her disarming Johnny after a twenty minute of arc duel and running to the Quidditch pitch in fiat to warn the rest of the students, rather than because she was scared. Albus was very happy that, for once, this had n't happened to him or one of his protagonist.

"conjecture what I heard today,"Kaden said as he entered the Marauder 's Den Friday evening, after dinner.

"What ?"Albus asked, looking up from the piranha 's Map, which he 'd spent the live ten minutes studying. John and lustrelessness were in the room as well, flatness studying and privy sorting Chocolate Frog cards. Rose was tutoring Elsie Willinson again and Amanda had gone with her.

"Quinn,"Kaden said as he sat down next to Albus."She 's now saying that Greyback stole her wand and she got away from him by kicking his kneecaps."

Albus burst out laughing."That 's derisory. She 's still got her wand."

"She claims Ollivander 's sent her an exact replica,"Kaden replied.

"But no two wands are the like,"john pointed out."Everyone knows that."

"She 's Muggle-born,"Kaden pointed out."She might not."

"But still,"Albus said."She 's taken it too far. No one 's going to believe her now and it 's all going to die down."

Albus laughed as he looked back at the Marauder 's Map. He 'd been checking it, both the Hogsmeade and Hogwarts sections, looking for Greyback every so often since last Sabbatum. He 'd yet to obtain anything remotely interesting on it, least of all greyback or one of the other get off convicts.

"Scorpio is leaving the palace,"Albus said, noticing the dot labeled 'Scorpius Malfoy'was no longer in the Slytherin common room, but instead slowly making its way across the grounds.

"What ?"lustrelessness asked, closing his book."But it 's eight o'clock. And it 's snowing."

"It 's him all right,"Albus said."come see."

Matt, King John, and Kaden all crowded around Albus and they watched Scorpius 's dot travel further and further from the rook. There were no other loony toons on the flat coat, except Hagrid 's, and his was remaining stationary behind his hut. It did n't come out that Malfoy was meeting anyone exterior, nor did anyone go with him. It was odd, especially in light of his early odd behavior.

"I wonder what he 's up to,"Albus mused.

"We should follow him,"John said."See what he 's up to."

"I agree,"Kaden said."No one goes outside at night during a storm for no reason at all. He 's up to something."

"We 'd get caught,"Albus pointed out.

"And it 's freezing,"Matt added.

"We 'll take your Invisibility Cloak,"John said.

"I do n't think we all fit anymore,"Albus said, not taking his name off Malfoy 's dot.

"Then Kaden and I can go,"whoremaster replied.

"No way,"Albus said."It 's my cloak and I do n't want you having it when Filch catches you. He 'll sequester it."

"Who says we 'll get caught ?"Saint John asked.

Albus laughed and turned to count at John."Of course you 'll get caught. And then my cloak will get taken away and I 'll never see it again and my dad will murder me."

"Your dad 's Harry Potter,"John said."He 's not going to mangle his own son."

"If he did Laurentis would love it."Kaden laughed."I can see the headline now. 'Harry Potter execution Own Son, Clearly Unfit For obligation. Weasley Still Supports Him .'”

"Oh shut it,"Albus muttered.

"waiting,"lustrelessness said, staring at the map."He 's going to the Whomping Willow."

Albus looked back at the map and saw that matt was compensate. Malfoy 's dot was slowing down and circling the tree, giving it a wide office."What 's he doing ?"

"You do n't think he 's figured it out, do you ?"Matt asked.

"Well now we have to go after him,"John said, standing up.

lustrelessness nodded."come on, Albus, let us use up your cloak."

"amercement,"Albus said, knowing that the battle was lost. Malfoy was at the Whomping willow, which meant that this was now personal for Matt, and therefore, for all of them."But I still do n't know if we 'll all fit."

Albus walked over to his bed and located the cloak in one of the drawers beneath it. He rarely kept it in his dormitory anymore, since he and his Friend spent far Thomas More time in the vulture 's Den than they did in the common way.

"Let 's try it,"Albus said as his Friend walked over to him. They stood finish and Albus threw the cloak over them.

"Half my body is showing,"King John said, turning to look at his still visible arm.

"And all our feet are showing,"Matt pointed out.

"That 's because Albus and privy are giants,"Kaden asked, glancing up at the five inches of place that separated his heading from the top of the cloak.

"Both of you are going to have to bow down,"Matt said.

"But what about the fact that half my consistence is showing ?"John asked, yanking on the cloak.

"Now I 'm not under it at all,"lustrelessness said, yanking it back.

"I wish we could do disenchantment spell,"Albus muttered."Too bad we do n't find out those until 7th year."

"pink wine could probably compute them out,"John said."We should have her learn them."

"wellspring we do n't have time for that now and we 're wasting time arguing. Malfoy could be in the burrow by now,"Matt said.

"There are Aaron Montgomery Ward,"Albus pointed out.

"Still ..."Matt muttered.

"Fine,"St. John the Apostle said."Albus and lustrelessness can go and Kaden and I will stay here."

"What ?"Kaden shouted."Why 'd you volunteer me to appease ?"

"Well, Albus is n't going to let anyone lease the cloak without him going and matte has to go since Malfoy 's by the Whomping willow tree,"lavatory said."That leaves you and me. I do n't think to a greater extent than two of us are going to fit."

"Let 's go, then,"mat said, yanking the cloak off of whoremaster and Kaden and repositioning it over himself and Albus."See you in a bit."

Albus nearly had to run to hold open up with Matt and stay fresh himself crouched down enough to stay blot out, and that was saying something since usually Albus was much faster than mat. The two of them said nothing on their way down to the front door and were n't noticed by any of the students or professor they passed.

"Remember, we 've got to be back before curfew,"Albus said once they shut the figurehead door."We do n't want to be locked out like back in second year."

"This is total deja vu,"Matt added."Two years ago we caught Kaden messing with the Whomping willow tree. That 's when Kendrick added the wards."

"But unlike with Kaden, I do n't think we 'll wreathe up acquaintance with Malfoy after,"Albus pointed out.

The footing were very lull, the only when sound being the crunching of their feet in the Snow. Albus carefully vanished their footmark as they walked, while Matt led them down the path to the Whomping Willow. It was very cold and snowy, which reminded Albus even more of the time they got locked out of the rook after sneaking into the shriek Shack.

"Is he even still there ?"Matt asked quietly when they were halfway to the tree.

Albus paused and pulled the predator 's Map out of his sack. Scorpius 's dot was still walking methodically in a roundabout around the tree."Yeah, he 's there."

lusterlessness nodded and they continued walking. Neither of them had lit their wands, so they slowed down in purchase order to not be hit by the Willow 's large offshoot. Finally they reached it and stood just outside its hitting mountain chain, waiting for Malfoy to number back around.

The Slytherin boy was wrapped in a thickset cloak and pacing with his nous always turned toward the Tree. He had his wand out and did n't appear to point out that he had been joined by Albus and Matt. Albus glanced at lusterlessness as Malfoy walked past them, unsure of whether to call his attention to their comportment. Since they were unseeable, they could just bear there and watch him.

"There 's got to be a way,"Malfoy muttered."Every Ward has a imperfect point. They do n't all finale forever."

Albus could now see that Malfoy was sending respective hexes and jinxes into the Montgomery Ward, but they were all deflecting away. As he rounded the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree once more, a hex bounced off the Barbara Ward and nearly hit Albus, who had to jump out of the way to avoid it. His leg slipped out from underneath the cloak in the process, but Malfoy did n't see it.

"It 's got to sour,"Malfoy said."There 's no former way in ...."

"Into where ?"Matt mouthed. Albus shrugged.

They waited for Malfoy to make another roach around the tree and this time one of the hexes reflected off the wards and toward Matt, who jumped to get out of the way, but tripped over a partially buried tree origin instead. He fell over, yanking the cloak down with him, leaving both himself and Albus exposed. flatness let out a stream of expletive and a cry of nuisance. Albus heard a sickening compaction as he fell and hoped it was the tree radical and not Matt 's leg.

"Who 's there ?"Malfoy shouted, aiming his scepter at Albus and matt. He lit it and his nerve visibly paled."What are you two doing here ?"

Albus lit his own wand. flatness was still sitting in the snowfall."I could ask you the same matter, Malfoy,"Albus said.

Albus pointed his verge at lustrelessness and reached down to help him up. He was clutching his wrist and his face was as pale as Malfoy 's, although for different grounds.

"I said, what are you two doing here ?"Malfoy repeated, not sounding very confident.

"chase you,"Albus said simply, thinking money plant would be the best policy here. After all, all three of them were breaking the rules. Not a great deal breaker point in denying it or making up exculpation.

"How did you know I was here ?"Malfoy asked. His wand arm was now trembling, although Albus did n't recognise if it was from the cold or fear.

"Saw you leave the castle,"Albus said."Figured we 'd see what you were up to."

"What do you want with the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree ?"Matt demanded. His part sounded pained.

Malfoy 's mouth turned up in a sly grin."Once again, you just confirmed my suspicions. This tree 's how you get into the screech hutch. I did a little more enquiry, and turns out this affair was planted the same class the screech hutch was built. The like class Remus lupin started going to Hogwarts. That Shack 's all boarded up so I figured there must be some sort of tunnel leading to it and what just way to hide out a tunnel than to put a murderous tree above it ? difficulty is, I ca n't disable the Barbara Ward. Bet you can, though."

"Why ?"Matt asked. Albus heard him breathe in sharply and began to wonder if his radiocarpal joint was broken."Why do you want to get in there ?"

"Ca n't secernate you,"Malfoy said.

"well, I 'm not disabling the wards,"flatness said.

"I 'll image it out eventually,"Malfoy said.

Albus wanted to ask him about his behavior at dueling practices so badly. They 'd had another practice the previous day and again, Malfoy had n't said two words to anyone. It was just strange. Bur Albus figured that even if he asked, Malfoy would n't answer.

"It 'd be silent, you know,"Matt said."Going into the Shrieking Shack."

"well I would n't go in on a full moon, idiot,"Malfoy said."Believe it or not this has cipher to do with you or your iniquity side. I could n't deal less that you 're a nasty werewolf. I have better things-"

Albus jabbed his baton into Malfoy 's thorax, nearly knocking him over in the process. His heart and soul was pounding and he could finger heat rising up in his dead body."You. Take. That. Back,"he seethed.

"Albus, do n't,"Matt said.

Malfoy scowled."No. I wo n't, because it 's rightful. I do n't handle. It was the secret that I liked and cypher to a greater extent. You do n't jazz the half of what 's going on or why I want that hut. He only uses it one Night out of twenty-eight. I want it the other twenty-seven. I do n't get why that 's such a huge deal."

"What 's going on over there ?"a gimcrack voice boomed over the dry land."Eh, what 're yeh doing ?"

Albus quickly moved his wand and pointed it elsewhere. It was one thing to get caught on the grounds after shadow but another to be caught threatening another educatee. He pointed his verge in the counselling of the voice and saw Hagrid making his way toward them, his large Newfoundland, Fetch, at his side.

"Albus ?"Hagird asked as he drew nearer."lusterlessness ? What 're yeh doing out here ? And Malfoy ?"

"Er, nothing,"Albus muttered.

"well, yer breaking the rules so I 'm going to have to guide yeh to Longbottom,"Hagrid said and then turned to Malfoy."And you 'll have to see Slughorn."

"hospital wing,"Matt said."First."

Hagrid turned to Matt and looked at his wrist."O'trend,"he said."What did yeh do ?"

"Tripped over a root,"matte said."Landed on a rock."

Hagrid nodded and clapped Matt on the dorsum, a gesture clearly meant to comfort him but instead nearly knocked him over again. After he recovered they set off for the castle, walking next to Hagrid. Malfoy followed at a brusk distance. Hagrid did n't ask them what they were doing by the Whomping Willow again, although Albus had a smell he probably knew. After all, he knew why the Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree was there and the fact that matte was a werewolf.

The castle was much emptier when they returned than when they had left. Albus only saw a few prefects doing their rhythm and realized that curfew must have passed. So very much for not getting in trouble.

Hagrid walked them to the infirmary flank and left Albus and mat there while he then escorted Malfoy to Slughorn 's study. Malfoy had remained muted during the entire walk, but lost the leer he 'd wear thin when he insulted Matt.

"I thought you lot had grown out of this,"brothel keeper Pomfrey said as she examined matte 's wrist."This sneaking about in the dead of night, following people. At least you did n't get locked out this time.

"Yes, your articulatio radiocarpea is definitely separate. But I can heal it quickly."

Madam Pomfrey took her wand out of her gown and pointed it at flatness 's wrist. She muttered a turn and instantly, his carpus was healed.

"Thanks,"lusterlessness said, bending his wrist.

"You 're welcome,"the nurse replied. She hurried over to a storage locker and returned with a goblet of potion."Take this for the pain and you 'll be unspoiled as new. No need to stay the night. I know you stay here enough as it is. You 're to expect here until prof Longbottom comes to compile you."

mat nodded and downed the potion in one boastfully gulp. Albus sat down next to him on the bed and they waited for Longbottom. Albus did n't opine Hagrid had seen him with his wand pointed at Malfoy, so his penalization should n't be too bad.

"You do n't retrieve he 'll make you Miss Quidditch tomorrow, do you ?"Matt asked.

Albus had n't thought of that."I hope not. Fred would stamp out me."

The doors to the ward opened and prof Longbottom walked inside. He looked tired and slightly annoyed. He sighed and shook his head when he saw Albus and Matt.

"You two again ?"he asked."Hagrid said you were on the grounds after curfew ?"

"Yes, sir,"Albus replied. He always felt weird calling professor Longbottom 'sir', but figured it could n't injure in this situation.

"Should I bother asking why ?"Longbottom replied.

Albus shook his drumhead, knowing that telling Longbottom why would n't get them any few detentions, nor would it discontinue Malfoy from trying to cipher out how to get into the shriek Shack.

"I 'll cook this easy, then,"Longbottom said."Ten points from Gryffindor, each. And you 'll both serve detainment tomorrow, immediately following the Quidditch match. stock, in my role. I 'll see you then."Longbottom turned to leave. He nodded to dame Pomfrey as he walked to the threshold."skillful night, Poppy."

"Good Night, Neville,"Madam Pomfrey said.

Albus and flatness said good night to the nursemaid and then left the Barbara Ward, both automatically going back to the green room rather than the vulture 's Den. If they were caught outside of Gryffindor tower twice in one night they 'd get a much worse punishment than XX lost points and a detention. Albus thought they 'd mystify off easy, to be honest. He wondered what Slughorn had set for Malfoy.

whoremonger, Kaden, blush wine, and Amanda were waiting for them when they got back. John and Kaden were smirking.

"Do n't say a tidings,"Albus muttered."I knew whoever followed him would get caught."

"Figured you did, seeing as you 've been gone for over an hour,"John said."What 's your punishment ?"

"Detention tomorrow after Quidditch and we each lost ten pointedness,"Albus said.

"You got off easy,"Kaden replied."If it had been me and toilet we would 've gotten three detentions."

"I think Longbottom took pity on us because matte broke his wrist joint while we were out there,"Albus said.

John laughed."Of path he did."

"Shut it,"Matt said."It really hurt. I was dodging a oath that Malfoy sent to the Willow that reflected off the wards."

"Did you find anything useful out ?"Rose asked."Not that I approve of this."

Albus and lusterlessness explained what had happened, including the part where Malfoy insulted matt and Albus nearly hexed him.

"Very odd,"blush wine mused."What can he possibly want the Shack for ? And what did he intend when he said he had other stuff going on ? What other stuff could he possibly have going on besides school ?"

"Whatever he 's got going on with Willinson ?"toilet suggested."Surely Felix knows what his cousins are up to and Malfoy 's always involved with that."

Albus shrugged."Maybe. But why would he ask the Shack ?"

"Who knows,"John said.

"I bet it 's got something to do with that letter,"Amanda said."And why he 's acting so strangely lately."

"speechmaking of acting strangely, Elsie Willinson is still acting weird,"rosiness said."I thought she would 've adjusted by now, but she has n't. She does n't seem to have any friends."

"Does her crony still pick her up from tutoring ?"Albus asked.

"Yeah,"Rose replied."It 's very odd. I asked her if she wanted to string up out with me and Amanda until curfew, but she said she could n't. So I said maybe another clip and she said probably not."

"That 's odd,"John said."Clearly they 're up to something."

"They 're always up to something,"Albus pointed out."I 'd lie with to have intercourse what it is, though. I wonder if they 've been in touch with Quinton."

"They 'd be stupid to be,"Rose said."Kendrick did n't punish Felix for what happened to Kaden two class ago, telling him if he did it again he 'd get expelled."

"I still say you 've got to forecast out what 's up with Elsie,"John said.

"I 'm trying,"blush wine insisted."It 's not as gentle as you 'd think. She hardly talks at all."

"Just keep trying,"toilet said.

"Team !"Fred suddenly shouted from across the common room."Off to bed, all of you ! We 've got a bit fortune at this and let 's not ruin it by staying up all night."

Albus did n't contend. Turning in early was a good melodic theme and he was actually quite exhaust after his digression to the Whomping Willow. He bade goodness night to his friends and went up to his quiet down, empty dormitory. It did n't take him long to fall down asleep and he dreamt of playing Quidditch with Malfoy while the two of them dodged the Whomping willow tree on brooms.


A/N : Thanks for all the followup ! I am doing Camp NaNoWriMo again this month ( probably not a good idea ... ), and I 'm writing this for it, so hopefully I 'll finish it !



The weather for the replay was vastly different from the previous Sabbatum 's weather. The sky seemed to be all out of snow and the sun was shining. Although it was still bitterly cold, there was little wind. Albus hoped the match would be a long one since as soon as it was over, he had to do detention with professor Longbottom.

Albus went down to the Great Hall by himself for breakfast. His early Nox had given way to him waking up far sooner than he normally did. It was nice being able to hover over breakfast, though, and concentrate on the upcoming match rather than interact with his friends. As he ate, the Great student residence slowly filled. He had just finished the utmost of his eggs when the post owls arrived.

Albus observed the bird of Minerva and did n't realize any of them. Clearly he was not receiving any post today, which was a good thing because he was fairly certain Longbottom had owled his parents about his detention. But then he noticed a very enceinte owl holding a red envelope in its mouth ; it was a howler and the owl was heading toward the Slytherin mesa. Albus continued watching it and saw it shore right in front of Scorpius, who yanked the envelope off the owl 's leg and tripped over the terrace in his hurriedness to leave the elbow room. Albus actually sympathized with him ; it was awful opening a howler in public. From the sound of it, Malfoy did n't quite make it to a loo or empty-bellied classroom. Muffled shouting could be heard coming from the incoming Hall.

Malfoy did n't retrovert to the Great manor hall. Albus figured it must experience been a particularly unspeakable howler and was wondering what it could possibly sustain said when his friends sat down next to him.

"Malfoy got a howler,"John said as he started loading his plateful with bacon.

"I know,"Albus said."Saw him get it."

"wellspring, we heard the tail end of it,"John said.

"It was awful,"Rose replied.

"What did it say ?"Albus asked."Who was it from ?"

"His dad, I 'm guessing,"John said."It was a man 's voice. We crouched down on the stairs when we saw him. Basically his dad was yelling at him for getting in fuss for pudding head things when he should be studying and concentrating on his school oeuvre and keeping his head down. Then he said something about how Malfoy knows that they, meaning his parents, have far more important matter on their minds than worrying about Malfoy getting in trouble in schooltime. And how they ca n't occupy about him at shoal when they 're engaged worrying about other things."

"That 's vague,"Albus said."He did n't say what the other things were ?"

"Nope,"John said."But Malfoy obviously knows what they are because he was shaking and he ran for the keep after the belly laugh blew up."

"I told you the alphabetic character he read at practice was about something bad,"Amanda said.

"And now we know it 's got something to do with his family,"Albus said.

"Maybe they 're going to connect up with Willinson and the Carrows and all them,"mat said."His dad was a Death feeder, was n't he ?"

"Sort of,"Albus said."His grandfather was, but his dad variety of got caught up in it and he got off. So did his grandpa, actually. No one really knows why, but my dad vouched for them at their hearing."

"Now that is weird,"Matt said."Maybe his grandad is planning on joining them."

Albus shrugged."Maybe, but it just does n't vocalise right. Listen, I 've got to get to the slant. I 'll see you after."

"Yeah, for detention,"matt muttered."Going to be a blast."

Albus 's indirect request for a recollective match came unfeigned. Since the weather was cooperating, Saint James the Apostle put off catching the stoolie until Gryffindor was up by 200 points, instead focusing his crusade on faking dives to keep Ravenclaw 's seeker away from the snitch. It worked, and three and a one-half hours later Epistle of James caught the Snitch and won the couple for Gryffindor. Albus was sorely disappointed that he 'd have to leave out the resulting party in the common room, but figured that 's what Longbottom was going for when he scheduled detainment for rightfield after the match.

mat was waiting for Albus in the Great mansion and the two of them grabbed a promptly luncheon before hurrying to Longbottom 's situation. They spent the next two hours writing'I will not sneak out of the castle after dark'over and over again. By the clip they were done Albus wanted to curl up and take a nap, since the Quidditch match itself had exhausted him. He and Matt decided to spend the afternoon in the marauder 's Den, just relaxing if not actually sleeping.

When they arrived they found John and Kaden in the middle of plotting their new caper. Rose and Amanda were in the library, apparently avoiding John Lackland and Kaden and their prank.

"Are you two sure enough you do n't desire to be involved with this ?"John asked."It 's going to be legendary."

"It wo n't be worth the detentions,"Albus said.

"Seriously,"matt agreed."If it 's legendary it 's going to mean a lot of detentions."

"Fine,"John said.

John and Kaden lowered their vocalisation, but Albus distinctly heard the words 'Weasleys '', 'itching powder ,''Slytherins ,'and 'alarm clocks .'At that decimal point, he really did n't want to cognize. He and Matt decided to originate a game of chess game and attempted to tune up out lav and Kaden 's whisperings.

"I was thinking the other night and realized if my dad loses his job when Laurentis is elected it 's going to be just like Commonwealth of Australia,"mat said as he captured one of Albus 's pawns.

"I had n't thought of that,"Albus said."Does that mean you 'd move again ?"

"I do n't cognize,"Matt said quietly."I really hope not. I guess I do n't guess so because the real cause we moved here was so I could go to school, not for Dad to get a new job."

"Then you probably wo n't,"Albus replied, taking one of Matt 's bishops.

"But if he does lose it, it 's going to probably mean Laurentis disagrees with him on werewolf takings,"Matt pointed out."That could be really bad."

"You never know,"Albus said."There 's other things your dad deals with that they might disagree on."

"But my dad 's the most vocal on loup-garou rights. Everyone knows that,"Matt said."If they 're going to disagree on something, that 's going to be it."

"I guess you 'll give birth to wait until the argumentation,"Albus said.

"I 'm thinking of going,"matt said quietly."It might be horrendous, but I want to know what she says firsthand, not from the Prophet."

"That makes sense,"Albus said."When is it ?"

"In three weeks,"matte said."February 15th. That 's the only thing ; it 's the day of the Hogsmeade trip."

"That happened terminal Hogsmeade weekend,"Albus said,"when blush wine went. Sucks that they do that."

flatness nodded."I think I 'll go anyway. I mean, it is the Valentine 's Hogsmeade stumble. speaking of that, is James still going out with that Hufflepuff young woman ? I forgot her name."

"Gabby Ellis,"Albus said."I 've no estimate, to be dependable. I guess we 'll find out when the Hogsmeade trip comes."

"Just as long as Fred does n't schedule Quidditch practice for that day again,"lustrelessness pointed out.

Albus laughed."He wo n't. None of us minded too a lot since the weather was so nice, but I think if he did it again the unharmed team would hate him."

"That would make an ill-chosen sept dinner, considering over half the squad are your cousins,"Matt said.

"Family dinners with my home have become ungainly by definition,"Albus said."Luckily the future one wo n't be until far after the election."

"Only a little over two months to go,"Matt said."You can make it."

"I hope so,"Albus replied, as he moved his queen in the direct line of products of Matt 's King."Checkmate."
***


"Rufus Scrimgeour was the final stage pastor of thaumaturgy to be appointed by the Wizengamot,"prof Embry said as he strolled around his classroom. It was the first of all hebdomad of February and the class had finally gotten to the point where they were beginning to discuss the second war."He was appointed quickly, after Cornelius Fudge resigned.

"pastor Fudge is commonly known as the least competent Minister ever to hold agency,"Embry continued."He refused to believe evidence that was laid out plainly in nominal head of him, for reverence of being known as the minister who held position when Voldemort returned. Somehow, he thought that if he ignored what was right in front of him, it would just simply go away. This backfired, of form, because he is now known for being the to the lowest degree competent Minister.

"Scrimgeour is seen in a slightly better light than Fudge, although he was curate when the Ministry fell to Voldemort in August of 1997 ...."

Albus knew all of this, of course. He 'd grown up listening to his parents joke at the incompetency of Fudge and the pointlessness of Scrimgeour being considered a rector at all. Nevertheless, he listened to Embry and took detailed promissory note since the essays Embry set were often long and difficult.

"The time of the second war was a sentence of fear and chaos,"Embry said as he reached the front of the room again."No one knew what was going on or who to consider. Many multitude heartily believed Fudge and what he said, believing Albus Dumbledore to be a fraud or even senile. When this world was shattered for them in June of of 1996, they did n't have sex what to do or who to twist to, or even what to trust. They 'd been fooled for a good year, believing what their Ministry and newspaper publisher told them. Now that they knew they 'd been lied to for a year, what were they to do ? They did n't believe anyone, let alone the Ministry. almost people 's finish were to protect their family and supporter and that was it.

"It was the fear and Chaos that allowed Voldemort and his following to take control of the Ministry. Without the support of wizarding Great Britain, the Ministry was feeble and susceptible to a takeover. It was simple for Voldemort to slip in and takeover in a thing of weeks."

"Excuse me, professor ?"Olivia toll said, raising her hand.

"Yes, Miss Price ?"Embry replied."You have a head ?"

"Yes, sir,"Olivia replied."I was just wondering, and you do n't have to answer, but what were you doing during the second war ?"

If Embry was surprised that Olivia asked him a question about his personal life, he did n't render it. Instead he gave a svelte smile and began to walk around the classroom again.

"I do n't mind answering that,"Embry said."Many of your parents were involved with the war crusade, so of track you 're curious. When the Ministry fell I 'd been working there for about six years. I got a job as an undersecretary in the Department of Magical Transportation when I was just out of Hogwarts and worked my way up the ranks.

"I 'd welcome a promotion shortly before Minister Fudge resigned and worked to muster in police force, but I quit after Scrimgeour got appointed because I saw that the Ministry was weak and corrupt and no longer wished to align myself with it. After Voldemort 's defeat, I was approached by Kingsley Shacklebolt asking if I would like to be involved with rebuilding the Ministry, and I said yes."

Albus was impressed. Embry had n't mentioned what sorting of job he did at the Ministry and Albus had had no estimate he had been so knotty with its rebuilding after the war.

"So you can see why I believe it is so of import to educate all of you about the account of the Ministry and how it is organized now,"Embry finished."Looks like we 're out of prison term for today so delight spell an eight column inch essay on Rufus Scrimgeour 's terminus as Minister for homework, due next Tuesday."

Albus packed up his bag and headed back up to Gryffindor tower with his friends. When they arrived, there was a crowd around the notice board, which was unknown. The Hogsmeade weekend date had already been announced and rarely did other notices garner such a crowd around the notice dining table.

Albus shrugged at his friends and they squeezed through the crowd until they could read it. It was a with child bill, covering the majority of the display board, imposing an early curfew Sunday Nox. Everyone, first through seventh old age, were to be back inside the castle by five in the eventide, no exceptions. Below that it warned that Filch was going to interlace the front room access at exactly five and that everyone was to report to their common room at five-thirty.

"That 's weird,"Albus said as he and his friends retreated."I do n't think they 've ever imposed a curfew so former before, and for everyone ?"

"It 's because grayback has n't been caught,"matt said quietly."Sunday 's the full-of-the-moon moon."

"They must think he 's going to come back,"Albus replied.

"Scary,"Saint John the Apostle added."Do you really think he will ?"

"I do n't know,"matte said."But I 'd bet my parents'whole Gringotts burial vault that he 's going to bite someone Dominicus night."

"Wait,"Rose said."You do n't usually go to the shriek shack until six or seven."

"They 're probably doing it early just to be safe,"Matt said."In slip some people do n't follow it or something. It says on there that the prefects are going to do a headway count. That 's why we all have to come back to the common room at five-thirty."

rose nodded."Then you 'll have to give later, after the doors are locked."

"Either that or lady Pomfrey will have me go early on,"Matt replied."I really hope not, though. I hate sitting out in the shrieking Shack."

"I hope not, too,"Albus said quietly.

Albus and his ally were probably the but scholar who knew the intellect why a curfew had been imposed on Sunday. Even the prefects seemed clueless, since Albus overheard a few of them trying to forecast it out. Thomas More than a few bookman were angry about it, although Albus had no musical theme why since it was n't common for students to rent a stroll on the reason on a Sunday night in February. He supposed they liked the pick, though.

As Sunday drew nigh matte became quieter and even more closed off than he normally was. In fact, it reminded Albus a lot of the way he was in kickoff year, before Rose figured out why he disappeared once a month. Both Albus and Rose tried to get him to open up about it, but he shrugged them off and insisted he was fine. John and Kaden did n't seem to discover any difference in Matt, and Amanda was n't one to ask about it when he closed himself off.

Sat 's Dueling Tournament proved uneventful. Albus spent the full few hours worrying about Matt because he had elected to cut the tournament in order to slumber, which was odd since he 'd normally at least try to participate. At least Malfoy made Albus 's life story well-off by remaining quiet throughout the tournament and not blaming Albus when the team came in third place. Albus himself won both of his duel, as did Malfoy.

On Lord's Day Albus and his Quaker spent the day in the piranha 's Den, working on homework and playing games. Matt slept for practically of the day and he still was n't saying anything. While Albus was worried, he was fairly certain the reason Matt was so quiesce was Limnodromus griseus. When a quartern to five rolled around, they had to pass to Gryffindor to testify they were in the castle. Matt was still asleep, so Albus told everyone else go to on ahead and that they 'd follow.

"Matt,"Albus whispered as he shook his acquaintance awake."We 've got to go back to the park room."

"This is stupid,"flatness muttered."They 're counting everyone to make trusted no one gets attacked by a werewolf when they 've got one livelihood in the castle."

"Is that why you 've been so quiet this week ?"Albus asked as Matt got up. He did n't reply."You and Greyback are n't the same."

"I know,"matte said as they left the room. The corridor was empty, so he continued to talk."It 's just the fact that we 're both loup-garou. That 's the Lapplander. What if they start doing this curfew affair every wide lunation, all because of me ?"

"They wo n't,"Albus said."You 're not dangerous because you 're in the Shrieking Shack. It 's all sealed up."

"I guess, but it 's still possible."

"You and grayback are different because he wants to bite citizenry. He purposely transforms near people, not on Aconitum lycoctonum, so he can infect the great unwashed. You hide yourself away to protect everyone. That 's a huge difference."

"But what if he does follow to Hogsmeade,"matte continued."He 'll hear me howling and know there 's a werewolf in the Shrieking Shack and he 'll try to get in."

"But he wo n't be able to,"Albus pointed out.

"And then if he does bite mortal, and let 's face it, he will,"matte said."It 's going to bet bad for all loup-garou. All it 'll take is a few onrush and the great unwashed will pop believing we should let our rights taken away. That 's what happened in Australia."

"You 're getting ahead of yourself,"Albus said as they reached the common room."Right now you do n't know that any of that 's going to happen. Wandering banshee."

"You 're nearly late,"the Fat lady said as she swung her portraiture open.

Albus and Matt climbed inside and found the vernacular way the most push they 'd ever seen it. Prefects were milling about attempting to get everyone to tranquillise down, but everyone was still trying to figure out why such an early on curfew had been set. The elbow room was so crowded that Albus and lustrelessness could n't find the balance of their friends and since being in a crowded room was not the best idea for Matt right hand before the full moon, they quit searching and instead sat down near the dormitory room access.

"Everyone, quiet, please !"Heather announced in a magically magnify voice. The room finally quieted down."I know you 're all upset about the curfew but they have n't even recite us prefects why it 's been imposed. It 's not that big a raft since it 's February, dark, and freezing outdoors. None of you would be outside anyway. Now just remain quiet while we take bowl so we can all get downstairs for dinner. After we 're done you 'll be allowed to roam the castle until your convention curfew."

Scots heather began calling out names in alphabetical lodge by yr. It took her fifteen or so minutes to get to the fourth years and after that Albus tuned her out. fifteen minutes after that she finished and all the Gryffindors had been accounted for. The common way emptied out quickly, since everyone wanted to get to the Great Hall for dinner party. Matt had fallen asleep and after Albus prodded him awake, he went up to the dorm room to slumber until he had to go to the hospital annex.

When Albus and his friends returned from dinner flatness had already left for the hospital annex. They decided to just stick around the common room since it was fairly empty and spent the evening working on their essays for Professor Embry.

"Any probability you lot know why we 're stuck inside ?"James asked as he snagged the last death chair at Albus 's board."Cedric, Ben, and I are asking everyone."

Albus exchanged a glance with Rose. He supposed it could n't hurt to tell Saint James the reason why, just so long as he did n't tell him why they knew. Of line, as soon as he told James it would spread around the castle like dragon pox at a wizarding nursery school, but again, that would n't really hurt anything.

"We 've got a hunch,"Albus said."Remember how Quinn Gregory VII saw Calidris canutus on the basis during the Quidditch match ?"

"Yeah,"Jesse James said.

"fountainhead, tonight 's a full moon,"Albus said."Put it together."

Henry James was silent for a here and now and then his heart grew big."You think Kendrick thinks he 's going to issue forth here tonight ?"

"That 's our guess,"Albus said and his friends nodded.

"Makes sense,"James said."Can you conceive of what kind of trouble Kendrick would be in if someone got bitten by a wolfman on the primer ?"

Albus did n't need to guess about it. He doubted mat wanted a fellow traveller in the Shrieking Shack.

"Scary,"King James I said,"thinking about Greyback transformed while wandering around the primer coat. I wonder why they did n't just tell us. No one would be angry about it if they 'd told us the reason."

"Probably did n't want anyone to panic,"Albus said.

"shot so,"James agreed."But still, everyone 's going to know now."He grinned and then got up to go obtain Ben and Cedric. The fact that the curfew was due to Greyback would be common knowledge in the castle within ten hour, Albus guessed.

Albus managed to finish his essay and decided to promise it a Night shortly after. He did n't feel like talking, not with the possibility that Greyback was either running around the Hogwarts flat coat or setting himself on some unsuspecting village, wanting to infect diminished child with lycanthropy. It was dire to believe about. Albus laid awake for hours, trying not to recollect about it, but try as he might, he just could not labor the thought from his psyche.


It was a rare occasion that Albus witnessed the sun rise. Being fourteen-years-old, Albus preferred to sleep until the very late morning or early afternoon, but this picky morning he was up before the sun. He had n't slept much that night due to his trouble about Fenrir Greyback and Matt, and decided that it was pointless to try and kip when he 'd just have to be up in an hour anyway.

Albus sat at the window and watched as the sun slowly rose over the apparent horizon. The ground looked peaceful, and not at all like the place where a wolfman could 've been roaming just a few hr before. The Sun Myung Moon had set and both Matt and Greyback would be back in their man physique by now. Whatever had happened was over now and there was naught anyone could do to change it. Albus wondered just how farseeing it would take for the Prophet to publish some sort of article on any flack Greyback might 've been the cause of.

Bilius and Ethan awoke before John did and busied themselves with talk of the Balycastle and Kenmare compeer that had taken place Sat, completely carefree about Greyback. Albus was n't surprised since neither of them had any sort of personal connection with the get out werewolf. But they at to the lowest degree acknowledge that the previous Nox had been a full-of-the-moon moon, since James had spread that information around the castle.

King John finally rose shortly after Bilius and Ethan left for breakfast. Albus was relieved since they could now speak freely.

"What meter is it ?"trick asked as soon as he sat up."Have we got metre to visit Matt before Herbology ?"

"Just after eight, so not really,"Albus said."And there 's no point in visiting him now as he 's probably unconscious or sleeping. The synodic month just set two hours ago."

"Yeah, but he might eff something,"John said as he closed the suspension on his bed while he dressed."He might 've heard Johnny last night."

"He never remembers anything about good moons,"Albus pointed out.

"It 's still worth a injection,"John replied.

Albus thought it would be sort of pointless, but they did n't have time before Herbology anyway. After Gospel According to John finished, the two hurried out of the student residence and down to the Great Asaph Hall for a straightaway breakfast before class. Rose, Amanda, and Kaden were already there.

"Anything in the Prophet ?"Albus asked as he grabbed a mess of toast.

Rose shook her heading and swallowed her bacon before answering."No. Absolutely goose egg, but that does n't have in mind much. It could just be too soon for enough details to have emerged."

"fountainhead, we 've got a rid stop this good afternoon, so we can go ask mat,"trick said.

"I told you that he 's not going to know anything,"Albus reminded him.

John shrugged."You never know."

The rest of the scholar body seemed to have already forgotten about the early curfew and the to the full moon. Albus did n't see anyone discussing it on his way to Herbology or at lunch later that day. Since there had n't been anything in the composition about an onslaught, it was old news for the Hogwarts bookman. Everyone that is, except for Albus, John, blush wine, and Amanda.

Albus, Saint John the Apostle, and Amanda were still discussing it on their way to forethought of Magical fauna that afternoon. When they arrived they found Hagrid surrounded by cage filled with small, total darkness, fluffy creatures.

"'ello !"Hagrid shouted."I 've got nifflers for yeh today. Can anyone tell me what makes nifflers unparalleled ?"

Albus raised his hand.

"Albus,"Hagrid said.

Albus grinned."Nifflers find hoarded wealth. They like lustrous things."

"Tha 's rightfield,"Hagrid said."So if you 've got lookout or jewelry on, take it off. I 've buried a load of leprechaun gold and your job for today will be to use the nifflers to find it. Everyone pair off and then come get a niffler. Whichever pair finds the most amber gets a plurality of burnt umber Frogs."

There was a stir as everyone hurried to take off their jewelry and find a niffler that looked like it would be a particularly treasure hunter. Albus took off his sentinel, shoved it into his scoop, and followed John and Amanda over to the nifflers. With Matt in the hospital backstage, Albus was without a better half and decided to just join John and Amanda.

St. John the Apostle grabbed the niffler with the tenacious snout and held the end of the lead while they followed it around the footing. Every so often the niffler would halt and dig through the Baron Snow of Leicester, revealing a modest pile of coins. Albus collected them and shoved them into a bag Hagrid had provided.

The integral routine was rather entertaining. Albus enjoyed watching not only his niffler, but the remainder of the category 's nifflers as well. They were adorable, funny creatures. At one point, Janie Creevey and Karina Jordan-Bell 's niffler managed to sniff out a set of musical scale in Bilius 's bag resulting in all three of them playing tug-of-war with the niffler.

"Why 's he got his scales in there anyway ?"John asked as they watched."We have n't got potions today."

Albus shrugged."No idea."

"Albus, John, look !"Amanda shouted, pointing toward the castle.

Albus turned around and saw two figure walking toward Hagrid 's hut. It took a few s, but he soon realized that he knew both of them. One Albus recognized as a young Auror from his dad 's department. His name was Newman and he 'd been one of the Aurors to help when Kaden was kidnapped two eld ago. The second gear man was none early than mat 's dad.

"What 's lusterlessness 's dad doing here ?"John asked.

"Yeah, and who 's that other bloke ?"Amanda asked.

"He 's an Auror,"Albus said."But why are they here ?"

The two wizards walked past Albus, St. John the Apostle, and Amanda without making any sorting of eye contact, acting as if they 'd never seen them before. By now, the relaxation of the class was looking at them strangely. lusterlessness 's dad and Cardinal Newman kept walking until they reached Hagrid, and they began speaking with him in low voices.

"C'mon,"Albus said as he began walking toward Hagrid.

toilet tugged the niffler 's principal and he and Amanda followed Albus. Albus stopped once they were within earshot, hiding behind a bush. whoremonger and Amanda crouched down on either side of him.

"I s'ppose I did hear some funny disturbance las'Night,"Hagrid said."More'n usual, that is. Always funny randomness from the woods. A bit more howling than rule las'Night, coming from Hogsmeade. Could 've been a werewolf, but I don'know for sure."

"And did you see anything roaming the grounds ?"Matt 's dad asked. His voice sounded serious.

"No,"Hagrid said."Wasn'international late. What 's this about ? Greyback ?"

flatness 's dad and Paul Leonard Newman glanced at each early."Yes,"Matt 's dad said."We have reasons to conceive Reb was in the domain last night and we 're looking for anyone who might 've seen something."

Hagrid shuddered."wish well I could help yeh. But yeh know, that howling from Hogsmeade could 've just been-"

"Yes, I know,"Mr. Eckerton cut him off, with a quick glance at Paul Newman."We 've had reports of more vicious, louder howling. Howling that seems to change location."

"Oh !"Hagrid exclaimed."Yeah, well, again, want I could help. I 'll pay a bit more aid next full moon."

"We 'd value it,"Mr. Eckerton said."Thanks for your time."

matte 's dad and Paul Newman turned and left, without a moment glance at Hagrid or the socio-economic class. The rest of the class had foresighted since returned to their nifflers and all had bags of gold far bombastic than Albus, John, and Amanda 's. But Albus no longer cared about winning the Chocolate frog. It seemed that something did happen last Night, but nobody knew exactly what.

At the end of the class, Albus, King John, and Amanda came in utter hold up for amount of coins collected. Hagrid seemed frustrated, but said that their niffler must 've just been tired. After returning it to its Cage, the three hurried back to the palace, anxious to stow their old bag and go visit lusterlessness.

"If Greyback is n't on wolfbane should n't he be tardily to find after the full moon ?"John asked as they walked to the hospital wing."Would n't he be injured ?"

"Not necessarily,"Albus said quietly."Matt only bites and attacks himself because he has nothing else to set on. If Limnodromus griseus 's out roaming the countryside, he can attack animals and people."

"But what about the real transformation ?"John the Divine replied."Even wolfman on Wolfsbane are achy the adjacent day because of that, right ?"

"I think so, yeah, but I bet if you 're being chased by Aurors that 's the end thing on your judgement,"Albus pointed out."I 'm not indisputable. matt would probably know."

flatness was the simply patient in the hospital wing and Madam Pomfrey was in use in her field of study, so Albus and his champion were free to talk about whatever they pleased. Albus was felicitous to see that Matt was awake, although he did look slightly unsettled.

"Was there anything in the prophesier ?"Matt asked as soon as Albus, trick, and Amanda had taken tush on his bed."And I 'm finely, so do n't bother asking."

"Er, no,"Albus said."Why ?"

"Last Night was weird,"matt said.

"Told you he 'd know something,"John said to Albus.

"But I do n't,"Matt replied."It was just uncanny. I do n't know how else to delineate it."

"What happened ?"Albus asked.

"I do n't have a go at it,"mat said quietly as he pulled his hands out from under the mantle. They were completely bandaged."spirit. My hands are the only when function of me that 's bruise. I mean, I ache all over from the transformations, but I did n't seize with teeth myself at all last night."

Albus looked at the bandages."But your hired man. You did n't bite them ? Then why are they bandaged ?"

"Splinters,"Matt said."Madam Pomfrey thinks I spent the dark scratching at the door and trying to get out. I 've never done that before. I never remember anything from when I 'm the wolf, but I do sometimes think back flavor. Like if the wolf was really angry or something. last Night it was desperate, although I have no idea what for. I guess to get alfresco, if Madam Pomfrey is right."

"And your wolfy self has n't done that before ?"Albus asked.

"No,"matte shook his head."I 've been transforming in the Shrieking hutch for three and a half year and the skirt chaser has never done that before."

"I 'll tell you something weirder,"John said."Your dad was here earlier."

"What ?"Matt exclaimed."When ?"

"Just now,"John said."During Care of Magical Creatures, he and some Auror came to talk to Hagrid. We listened in-"

"Of course,"lusterlessness cut in.

"Your dad and the Auror, they were asking Hagrid if he 'd seen or heard anything eldritch finale Night. Hagrid said he did n't see anything, but he thought he heard more noise than common from Hogsmeade. Then he said that it may have just been you, but your dad cut him off, probably because of the Auror. Then your dad said that there had been paper of more deplorable howling than usual."

"They definitely think that Johnny Reb was in Hogsmeade final night,"Albus said.

"What would 've happened if you got out ?"Amanda asked.

"Out of the Shack ?"Matt asked."Nothing skillful. But now he knows that I was there. He 'll celebrate coming back until he 's captured. I wo n't actually be able to escape from the Shack. The Baroness Jackson of Lodsworth are too good."

The door to the ward flew open and Matt 's dad came striding inside, still looking as serious as he had earlier. After a quick glance around the way, he strode over to lustrelessness 's bed.

"Dad,"matte said.

"You do n't look surprised to see me,"Mr. Eckerton replied as he gave his son a hug."How are you feeling ?"

"I 'm all right,"matt said with a shrug."Albus, John, and Amanda saw you talking to Hagrid. fountainhead, they heard you, too. Where 's the Auror ?"

Mr. Eckerton let out a little laugh and then turned to Albus."I saw you in the bushes. Next time you 're trying to hide, do n't hide with a niffler. They 're notorious giveaway. Yours was trying to sniff out Newman 's pocket watch."

"I missed nifflers ?"flatness asked, clearly disappointed.

"Yeah,"Albus said."I bet Hagrid would let you see one after you 're better, though."

"I need to speak with you about last Night, Matt,"Mr. Eckerton said quietly."In private, perhaps ?"

flatness shook his head."I already told them about last Night, so they might as well stay."

"All right,"Mr. Eckerton said."I need you to try and think back if you heard or saw anything strange finish dark. I know you never remember anything, but try."

lusterlessness held up his bandaged hands."brothel keeper Pomfrey thinks I tried to get out of the hovel endure dark. That never happens. Whatever was out of doors kept the wolf occupied all night. I did n't attack myself."

Mr. Eckerton 's eyes grew large and Albus noticed that the serious feeling had dissipated. It was replaced with a flavour Albus had seen quite often on his own father. It was a father 's shock and worry.

matte explained the rest, including the part about the wolf feeling desperate. Mr. Eckerton seemed to muse this for a few hour before sighing and shaking his head.

"What 's going on, Dad ?"matte asked.

Mr. Eckerton sighed once more."I suppose it could n't hurt to tell you. It 'll be in the Prophet tomorrow anyway. Two children were attacked in Little Shingleton stopping point nighttime. It 's a town about five international mile away, on the former side of that flock next to Hogsmeade. We 've been trying to figure out whether it was Rebel or not, since he left immediately after biting them."

"Were they Muggles ?"Matt asked.

"No,"Mr. Eckerton said."Which makes me conceive that this was a carefully planned attack. minuscule Shingleton is a Muggle village, with these two children and their parents being the only witches and thaumaturgist in the area. It 's too concurrent. And why fire both tyke ? Most werewolves take off immediately after biting someone, their instinct telling them to get as far away as possible, as quickly as possible."

"And did they ... live on ?"Matt replied.

"They 're both in stable term at St. Mungo 's. Once their snack heal, they 'll be fine, save up for the fact that they now have lycanthropy. The bites were clean and minor, not normal wolfman bite. These sharpness were inflicted just to taint. Another sign toward Greyback."

"But what about Hogsmeade ?"Albus asked.

"pentad sea mile is not an impossible journey for a werewolf in a nighttime,"Mr. Eckerton explained."Most in all likelihood Johnny Reb heard Matt 's ululation finally dark and followed the strait. Once there, he probably spent the repose of the night attempting to get inside the screaming shack, which is impossible."

"So you really think it was him ?"Matt asked.

"I do, and Auror Newman agrees with me. I left him in Kendrick 's study, after telling him I needed to chatter you since we were already here. But what you 've told me just solidifies it."

"But ca n't you just go get him ?"St. John asked."He ca n't be that far. No criminal offence, Matt, but if you were outside you would n't get very far."

"None taken."

"The thing that makes lycnathropy so difficult to study, and also most likely the understanding why wolfsbane does n't work for all werewolves, is that each mortal 's lycanthropy is vastly different from others. Its effects depend a lot upon a individual 's view toward their own lycanthropy. Fenrir Greyback has spent his life embracing his lycnathropy and living for that one dark a calendar month where his true nature emerges. He embraces his wolf side so a lot that he even attacks multitude when the synodic month is not full.

"You, mat, on the former mitt, name most with your human face. As you should, considering you 're only a Friedrich August Wolf one night out of twenty-eight. Therefore, you resist the transformation. You fight it with your every roughage, every month. Greyback embraces it, and probably shifts a lot soft than you do. His transformations most probably do not cause him the same pain."

"I guess that makes sentiency,"Matt said.

"But still,"John the Divine said."They should be combing the afforest for him."

Mr. Eckerton chuckled."They are. trustfulness me. They have the entire Werewolf Control Unit searching for him, along with six Aurors, and a handful of Junior and trainee Aurors. They do n't normally dispatch Aurors to capture rascal lycanthrope, as that 's usually the Werewolf Control unit 's job. And it 's not usually my job to investigate lycanthrope attacks. But this is a high visibility instance, so they want many people on it, including people in commission. We 'll get him."

Albus wondered if Teddy was on the case. He was a junior Auror now. Knowing chemise, he 'd want to be on the case since Johnny Reb had turned his dad into a werewolf.

"I 've got to get back to the Ministry and fulfill out a report,"Mr. Eckerton said as he stood up from his electric chair."If you think of anything else, Matt, ask to use Professor Longbottom 's Floo. Owls are easily intercepted."

lusterlessness said goodbye to his dad and soon the boys and Amanda were alone in the hospital wing once more. Albus did n't acknowledge what to say. Fenrir Johnny, it seemed, was up to his old caper and somehow matte had gotten involved.
***


Fenrir Reb 's attack on the two shaver took the unharmed front page of the Prophet the travel along cockcrow. The entire Great G. Stanley Hall was talking about it, professors, bookman, and ghosts. Copies of the paper were being passed faster than platter of bacon. Albus managed to snag a copy from his cousin Ben.

FENRIR greyback ATTACKS IN LITTLE SHINGLETON

Fenrir grayback, escaped convict and werewolf,
was sighted stopping point night in Little Shingleton,
Scotland. Little Shingleton is nearly an
entirely Muggle village, salve for one
wizarding family. The family, whose
names have not been released due to the
Underage werewolf Protection Law,
suffered an extreme disaster in conclusion night,
when Fenrir Johnny Reb attacked both of
their children. Both children are
reportedly in horse barn condition at St.
Mungo 's.

An investigation, organized by both the
Auror Department and the section for
the regularisation and Control of Magical
beast, headed by head of that department,
Walter Eckerton, concluded late yesterday.
'We 've interviewed several eyewitnesses
who saw or heard a werewolf in Hogsmeade
during the full moon. Hogsmeade is only
about five Roman mile from Little Shingleton .'
investigator said that numerous other
clues led them to believe that the flak
was by Fenrir knot, despite not having
actually seen him in Little Shingleton.
'We are not set to disclose all inside information
of the investigation. But we are confident
that this was an attack by Greyback. A squad
of Aurors and werewolf Control building block employees
are working around the clock to capture
Greyback .'

The article was followed by a recap of Johnny and the crime that had landed him in Azkaban in the first place, along with a nasty photograph of him. Even in his human form he looked rather wolf-like, which was such a drastic contrast compared to Matt, who did n't resemble a beast at all, salve for his oculus. Albus glanced up from the article and his heart fell on Matt 's. They had a yellowish tint to them, with speckle of gold amidst their cancel dreary color. They were indeed the simply wolf-like trait he possessed when the moon was n't full-of-the-moon.

"This is why people want stricter werewolf control laws,"lusterlessness said quietly.

"Even those could n't have stopped this,"Albus pointed out.

"People wo n't intend about that. All they 'll recollect about is how their children are n't safe, and they 're flop. It 's just lousy timing. Laurentis is going to use this to her advantage."

Albus wanted to check Matt that everything would be all mightily, that Laurentis would n't blow everything out of dimension, but he could n't. He knew that mat was right, that Laurentis would once again use a horrendous tragedy to pass more than living from the wizarding existence. If his uncle Hotspur was going to resist a chance against her, he was going to have to drastically commute his campaign scheme.


A/N : So I just realized that I uploaded the awry chapter last Friday. This is the real chapter 25 and the one I uploaded last-place Friday is chapter 26. Sorry about that !


The affair about wolfman attacks was that they were only able to materialise once a calendar month. There was absolutely no chance of a werewolf attack during the relaxation of the month, so it was well-off for the Hogwarts students to soon block about Fenrir Greyback, or at to the lowest degree button him into the furthest nook of their brain. After the initial article about Rebel 's approach on the two young children, the paper returned to its usual election reporting, although both prospect were being very serenity about the attack. Neither Percy nor Laurentis made a statement, which did n't surprise Albus. The debate on regulating of magical animal was scheduled for Sabbatum, so both candidates would make affirmation then. There had been a few editorials in the paper written by multitude pushing for stricter loup-garou laws, but that had been it.

Saturday was also the day of the succeeding Hogsmeade trip, and this gave the Hogwarts students a much needed distraction from the international earthly concern. Word spread amongst Albus 's cousins that James II was once again taking Gabby Ellis to Hogsmeade, and quite a few of his other cousins had dates as well. Albus himself did not, and was planning on spending the day with whoremonger, Kaden, rosiness, and Amanda. lusterlessness had arranged to advert the disputation with his dad, and would miss the trip-up.

"Are you sure you want to go to this debate ?"Albus asked Matt as they played cheat in the Marauder 's Den.

"What ?"Matt asked, turning to Albus. He 'd been staring at the paries under the guise of taking his turn for the past five minutes.

"You were zoning out,"Albus said."I asked if you 're for sure you want to go to that debate Saturday."

lustrelessness had seemed distracted all hebdomad and whether it was from Greyback being so near during his translation or the upcoming public debate, Albus did n't know.

"Yeah, I 'm certainly,"matt said."I 'd rather hear it straight from her than record it in the Prophet."

"What about your dad ?"Albus asked."Is he going to speak out against her if she wants stern legal philosophy ?"

matte shrugged."I do n't know. That did n't work too well in Australia."

The door to the Den volley open and John and Kaden came barging in, both wearing monovular grins. It was slightly uncanny, how similar they looked.

"We 've finished,"lavatory announced.

"Finished what ?"Albus asked. He was slightly worried. It was never a good sign when John and Kaden were that happy about something.

"Our clowning,"Kaden answered."We 've finished planning. We 're not quite sure when to do it, though."

"Yeah, any hypnotism ?"john asked."Or are you two still being all prefecty on us ?"

Albus burst out laughing and turned to Matt, who smirked."Prefecty ?"Albus repeated.

"Yeah,"Saint John said."Everyone knows it 'll be one of you who makes prefect next year. And you 're getting started early by not liking our pranks."

"We just do n't desire hold again,"lusterlessness explained."Honestly, I could n't care less if you prank the Slytherins. Malfoy 's a git. frivolity him all you want."

"Are you sure you do n't want to know what it 's going to be ?"St. John the Apostle asked.

"No,"Albus said.

"Not a chance,"matte said.

toilet shrugged."All right. But when should we do it ?"

"Let 's just time lag and see when the fourth dimension spirit right,"Kaden suggested."It 's not, er ... time-sensitive ...."

John and Kaden burst out laughing."Sure,"whoremonger said."Not time-sensitive at all."

Albus and lustrelessness exchanged a glance.

"We could recount you why that was so singular,"John said.

"Or you could just wait and see like the rest period of the castle,"Kaden added.

"We 'll wait,"Albus said. He was curious about it, but not singular enough to possibly meander up with another week 's detention.

Whatever the prank was, John and Kaden did n't follow up it before the following day. Saturday brought blueing skies and bitterly cold temperatures and Albus put on two Weasley jumper in cookery for walking around Hogsmeade.

lustrelessness left early for the debate, Flooing from prof Longbottom 's study. Albus and John the Divine slept late and met Kaden, Rose, and Amanda in the Great Hall for a spry lunch before setting off for Hogsmeade.

The Feb Hogsmeade trip was always an interest one. The village became filled with untried couples either snogging passionately in front of the store or staring awkwardly at each other across a table in the Three Broomsticks or ma'am Puddifoot 's. Having never been on a date before in his life, Albus found it really rum to watch over. John and Kaden found it amusing as well, but Rose and Amanda seemed to stare wistfully at the twain and did n't recover them at all funny.

"Where to first ?"Albus asked.

"Not Madam Puddifoot 's,"trick said immediately, grimacing as a few love-struck couples headed toward the place.

"I plan on never setting foot in there,"Kaden said."I do n't care how many girls ask me to go there with them."

John laughed."You 'd have to get a girl to like you first."

"Shut up,"Kaden said."Let 's just go get some Butterbeer."

The rest of the group agreed and they were soon crowded around one of the lonesome empty tables in the leash broomstick. Albus was hoping to catch a glimpse of James IV because despite the fact that James River had been out with Gabby Ellis before, Albus could n't get over the fact that his brother was going out on dates. It was just weird.

After finishing their Butterbeer, the group went to Honeyduke 's and Weasleys'in order to stock up on Skiving Snackboxes and umber Frogs. By then it was nearly dinner meter and they decided to address it a day. The air current was picking up and none of them fancied being caught in a storm.

"Albus !"John shouted just as they were setting off on the itinerary back to the castle.

"What ?"Albus asked, turning to see what Saint John the Apostle was pointing at.

"James IV and Gabby Ellis,"Gospel According to John said.

Albus squinted and just made out his brother, leaning against the exterior of Honeyduke 's, his back talk attached to Gabby Ellis 's. They were so fill up that they almost looked like one person.

"Oh my God,"Albus said quietly.

"That is disgusting,"rosebush added."I could 've gone my entire life without seeing soul snog James."

John and Kaden were both laughing."tone like they 're enjoying it,"lavatory said.

"Oh gross !"Albus exclaimed as he turned back to the path."Let 's go."

"I think it 's safe to say they 're together,"Amanda said as they walked back.

"What she could possibly see in Epistle of James ..."Rose muttered.

"Well, he does play Quidditch,"Amanda pointed out.

"So do over half my cousin,"Rose said."So does Albus."

"Can we switch the topic ?"Albus asked."Please. C'mon, let 's hurry up. I bet Matt 's back from the debate."

That seemed to get his friends'minds off of James 's quixotic life. Albus himself wanted to put the image of his crony kissing someone out of his mind forever. At to the lowest degree she was a Hufflepuff and he 'd never bear to see them kissing in the common room. If he did he may suffer to drop all of his clock time in the vulture 's Den.

Dinner had n't started yet when they arrived at the rook, so the group decided to go find Matt first. They found him right where Albus figured he 'd be, in the vulture 's Den. Albus was slightly nervous about what had happened at the debate, but matte was sitting on the redact casually reading his appealingness book, seeming hardly upset at all.

"How was Hogsmeade ?"lusterlessness asked as he set his book down.

"Disgusting,"Albus said as he sat down adjacent to Matt. King John, Rose, and Amanda pulled up chairs.

Matt raised his brow."Disgusting ?"

"We saw James snogging his new girlfriend,"Rose said with a chill."Trust me, there 's nothing pleasant about seeing the boy you remember eating a mud pie kissing a lady friend while pressed up against Honeyduke's."

Matt laughed."I have n't got any cousins, so I 'll take your intelligence for it."

"Consider yourself prosperous,"Albus muttered."But what happened at the debate ?"

"It was n't as bad as I thought it would be,"matt said."well, okay, parts of it were n't as bad as I thought they 'd be. It was at the Ministry, in one of those Court rooms in the cellar. Mostly it was masses who work at the Ministry there, but there were some early citizenry there, too, because the room was so big.

"I 'm not for certain how much you know about the section for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, but every animal is divided into one of three category. beingness, spirits, and Beasts. Spirits are ghosts and poltergeists and boggarts. being are creatures that are n't human, but have human intelligence. Beasts are everything else. The chap who was running the debate started by asking Percy and Laurentis how they feel about the right given to Beings. You know, goblin, house-elves, centaur, those sorts of fauna. They did n't have much to argue about that because neither of them think any of those creatures should take in their rights taken away. And rosebush 's mum has worked so hard to get them rights.

"Then they moved on to the disembodied spirit division and there was n't much contestation with that, either, since there 's not a lot that can be done about purport. They 're just sort of there. Ghosts do n't harm anyone and poltergeists it all depends on the particular poltergeist. Laurentis brought up the theme of Peeves, which was odd, but Percy did n't look to have an opinion on Peeves."

Albus had n't expected much contestation with the Being sectionalisation. There had been a lot of debate back and forth about the right field of Beings back when his parents had been in school and his aunt Hermione had dedicated her oeuvre life history toward giving right to being, especially house-elves. Over the class she 'd done a very serious job with it and had n't met a good deal opposition. As for the flavour division, Albus did n't cerebrate there had ever been much controversy there. Ghosts were just ghostwriter. They pretty much did as they pleased.

mat paused."Then there was the wildcat division. Throughout history both werewolf and vampire have sometimes been in the being division and sometimes been in the wolf division. Classification in the Beast division is the reason why werewolves have been stripped of their rights and how the Ministry can get away with it. If they 're not seen as being, then legally, they do n't have to be given the same rights as humans. It 's a technicality, really.

"A foresighted clock time ago lycanthrope were in the Being sectionalisation, but they got reclassified in the 1950s, after a huge werewolf attack on an entire Town. It was ugly. But ever since then, no one has wanted to class them as Beings again. My dad has been an advocate for sorting as Beings ever since he started in Australia.

"The thing about classification is that, for the most part, Ministries all over the humanity have to tally. That 's why reclassification is such a time-consuming and unmanageable matter to do. Someone has to bring it up and ordinate negotiations between country and it requires a lot of effort. When Voldemort came to power no one in Britain had the time or energy to put toward the reclassification of loup-garou. Not to mention they could n't spare the masses to put the time into it. Since the savage attack in the 50s happened in England, the other countries have n't wanted to match the idea. Although I 'd wager that Commonwealth of Australia would put up a dear fight if it was ever brought up again.

"So, basically, my dad has been trying to do this for historic period, but he does n't have the support. Even pastor Hartwell has n't wanted to bear upon it since it 's such a controversial issue and he does n't have much time left."

"Wow,"Albus said."Binns did n't teach us any of that in account of Magic."

"And he probably wo n't,"Matt said."It 's not a well-known offspring since most hoi polloi probably do n't care to put in the travail to reclassify lycanthrope. The only when citizenry who 'd want to are werewolves."

"That 's awful,"Amanda said."But what happened at the debate ?"

"The wizard in charge of the debate dodged the enquiry of Limnodromus griseus for a while, asking doubtfulness about other creatures like thestrals and dementors and the comparable. But he finally brought up the topic of Johnny Reb and Laurentis basically said that it was n't a matter of werewolf command practice of law, but a affair of Azkaban security-"

"Well, that 's good,"Albus said. He would n't have expected that of Laurentis.

"Sort of,"Matt replied."I have n't finished. Anyway, your uncle agreed with her, but he of grade said that putting the dementors back would be pudden-head. Laurentis said that if the dementors had been there then Greyback would n't have escaped and those kids would 've been safe. Then they started arguing about Azkaban and dementors again. But the lad in charge cut them off.

"Then he finally brought up the fact that my dad 's been pushing for the reclassification of werewolves as Beings for years and how he 's got the bread and butter of Rose 's mum and asked what their opinion of it was."

"But if my mum was able to facilitate house-elves and goblins, then why could n't she do it for werewolves at the same metre ?"Rose asked.

"House-elves and goblin have always been classified as organism,"lustrelessness explained."They were being denied right wing that they technically already had. It was just a issue of reworking the police force and enforcing them properly. None of the werewolf rights laws can be changed unless their classification is changed-"

"But that 's just stupid,"John said.

Matt shrugged."It is, but there 's nothing anyone can do about it."

"well, what did Laurentis say ?"Albus asked.

"Laurentis said that reclassifying werewolves as organism would give the current werewolf control practice of law unenforceable and that it would give the Ministry far LE control over werewolves. Which is true,"matt said."Not that it would be a bad thing."

"Of trend not,"Albus agreed.

"Then she said that if lycanthrope were currently classified as Beings it would make it difficult to even catch up with Johnny Reb and prosecute him for what he 's done, which is n't true at all. My dad was turning purple at this degree. She really knows zilch about the way his department works."

"What about Uncle Percy ?"rosiness asked.

Matt did n't say anything for a wide moment."He was n't as bad as Laurentis, but well, your uncle does n't want to change anything. I 'm certain you 've noticed that he says everything 's hunky-dory the way it is and we do n't need to change anything, whether it 's Azkaban or Hogwarts. He thought the same about werewolves."

"What do you mean ?"Albus asked."He thinks that-"

Matt averted his gaze, looking at Kaden rather than Albus and rose wine."He thinks that 'putting Energy Department into reclassifying loup-garou as Beings would be a poor theme, given the other issue facing the not bad wizarding community .'And that is a direct quote. I ca n't ever draw a blank that."

Albus wished he was surprised. He really did. But the fact remained that Uncle Walker Percy did n't wish to stir the cauldron, so to mouth. If thing were working the way they were, he would n't change them. He 'd rather keep matter the same then speak out openly either for or against anything, if it would cost him back up or balloting.

"Then he went on to explain,"lustrelessness continued."He said that wolfman classification does n't affect a large phone number of witch and wizards and that it 's very complicated and would require a lot of elbow grease, which is rightful. But it 's like he did n't think it was worth it, just because it would n't affect a lot of people."

"It does n't surprise me,"blush wine said quietly."The election is so soon. I do n't imagine he 's going to say anything too controversial."

"Honestly, it was almost worse than Laurentis,"Matt said, turning back to Albus and blush wine."Sorry. I know he 's your uncle-"

"Do n't apologize,"Albus said, suddenly glad he was n't of age and would n't have to choose between the two candidates.

"It 's like he does n't even take a strong sentiment on it. He does n't want to have a strong opinion on it,"mat added."Laurentis at least has a understanding. Your uncle does n't even have that. Honestly, Albus, I 've no theme who my parents will vote for now. Same with Amy."

"I do n't know who I 'd vote for now,"Albus said quietly.

"But either way, I do n't imagine werewolves will get reclassified,"Matt replied."zero will happen without support of the British pastor at this point."

"That 's just not fairly,"Amanda said."What exactly does the law say now ? What are you not allowed to do ?"

lusterlessness averted his gaze once more. This was another topic that Matt had n't ever spoke of before and Albus had n't dared ask.

"fountainhead, technically,"lustrelessness began,"I 'm not allowed to be at Hogwarts."

"What ?"Albus shouted. The residual of his friends let out similar exclaiming of shock.

"But shift 's dad-"Rose began.

"Not legal,"Matt said."Dumbledore frequently broke the law and that was no dissimilar. professor Kendrick follows the law a bit more but he liked the estimation of allowing me to attend. It 's variety of murky, to be good. It 's in the law that werewolves can not attend Hogwarts, but at the like meter, Hogwarts headmaster have staring control condition over who they admit. So as long as it 's kept quiet-"

"But what about Malfoy ?"rose asked."If he were to let it slip-"

"Then Kendrick would discharge him,"flatness explained."And he 'd be allowed to, since it would be detrimental to another student 's education for him to reveal my condition. I told you ; it 's very murky."

"What else ?"Amanda asked.

"The rest has mostly to do with employment,"Matt said."wellspring, that and the Ministry is allowed to keep werewolves for questioning about wide-cut moon attacks without actually arresting them. Werewolves as prisoner have virtually no rightfulness.

"But anyway, utilization. I 'm legally obligated to inform any potential employers of my condition. If werewolf were classified as Beings, that would n't be required, because lycanthropy would be seen as a checkup precondition and utilization can not be terminated based on a person 's medical conditions."

"That is the most confusing matter in the world,"Albus said. His chief was spinning."How do you keep all that straight ?"

Matt shrugged."It 's my living. That 's the other thing, Albus, your uncle really has no idea how things are run in the Department for the rule and Control of Magical Creatures. He 's not really stipulate to say what effect the reclassification would have on everything. Because, honestly, it would only affect werewolves."

"That seems obvious,"Albus said.

"So someone can not hire you just because you 're a loup-garou ?"Amanda asked incredulously.

matt nodded."Does n't even weigh if they 're on wolf's bane or not, either."

"What will you do after Hogwarts ?"Amanda asked.

"No estimation,"mat said."I 'm trying not to think about that. But this whole pretending to be formula affair that I 'm doing at Hogwarts ? It 's temp. That 's all there is to it."

No one quite knew what to say after that. Albus certainly did n't. He wished more than anything that his uncle would support the reclassification of werewolves as Beings, despite the fact that it might miss him a few votes. It might even cost him a few not to bear spoken up, because now, flatness 's parents and Amy might not vote for him. But this had such a orotund effect than just the election. Matt was right ; this was his life, and Uncle Sir Henry Percy and Laurentis were just seeing it as a way to thrum up more votes. Maybe Uncle Harry Hotspur was n't the rightfulness man for the job, after all. But Laurentis certainly was n't, and since no one else was running, what would pass after the election ?


A/N : Thanks for all the awful reviews !


The disputation on the Regulation and ascendency of Magical Creatures did not look to be a hot issue of discussion amongst the Hogwarts students. Unlike the argumentation on education, this special debate did not relate directly to Hogwarts students, and thus there was n't a good deal give-and-take beyond a few opinion at breakfast the next day. The article on the argument was much more tame than the previous articles, virtually likely because Hotspur and Laurentis had n't disagreed on the topic. In fact, the article mostly focused on the dementor issue.

Albus and his friends kept closing curtain watch on the Prophet in caseful there were any updates on the get by prisoner, but the respite of February passed without any sightings or captures. It was kind of strange since the prisoners had to induce been hiding out somewhere. Yet they 'd been loose for nearly two months and the but one who had been sighted was Limnodromus griseus. Willinson, Umbridge, and the Carrows were nowhere, it seemed.

In the lag, Laurentis used the lack of captures to her advantage, by publishing a new statement every few days declaring how incapable the Auror department was. These statement were usually followed up with another declaration of how the prisoners would n't feature escaped if the dementors had been in ascendence of Azkaban.

When March arrived, the seer began putting a countdown until the election at the top of the movement page, every exclusive day.

"Apr Fool 's Day,"John commented as he pointed to the countdown, which read '29 days .'“ Does n't that look a bit uncanny, to do an election on that day ?"

"A small,"Albus said."But I doubt the Ministry cares."

"We should do our joke that day,"Kaden said.

"Do n't,"blush wine said."Hogwarts is a polling place. You 'll mess it up."

"No, we wo n't do it then,"trick said as he exchanged a mischievous grin with Kaden."Want to have intercourse why ?"

"Not really,"Albus said.

"They 'll find out soon enough,"Kaden said.

"Does this have anything to do with why you two disappeared all evening yesterday ?"matt asked.

"Possibly,"John said."Oh, looking at at the time. We 've got to get to potions."

Kaden burst out laughing."Oh, yes, looks like it 's clip for me to go to Divination."

Albus looked at mat and shrugged. John and Kaden had been laughing at every mention of 'time'or 'clocks'for the past few weeks, but had yet to share why. Albus could only assume that it had to do with their clowning.

Albus, Matt, John, Rose, and Amanda said goodby to Kaden and headed for the dungeons. Since it was a double class, Slughorn gave them a potion to brew and sat at his desk grading essays while they worked.

Albus and Matt partnered on their potion and worked quietly, chopping and mixing. Halfway through the second class they were chopping asphodel when Matt suddenly stopped.

"Did you hear that ?"he asked Albus.

"Hear what ?"Albus replied. He had n't heard anything.

"Never mind,"Matt muttered."Could 've sworn ... guess I 'm hearing things."

A few minutes passed and Matt stopped again."I swear there 's something ringing outdoor. It sounds like an alarm clock."

Albus glanced around the schoolroom, but cypher else seemed to deliver heard it. Everyone was working quietly, except John, who was staring at the door for some strange reason. Then Albus heard it. The faintest ringing.

"Do you hear it now ?"mat asked.

"Yeah,"Albus said. It was becoming louder, too. The quietus of the class was beginning to notice as well, and John the Evangelist suddenly turned around to look at them. He grinned widely and then returned to his potion.

"It 's their trick,"matte hissed."It 's got to be."

Nobody was paying any attention to their potions now and a few of them were boiling over. Slughorn got up from his desk and left the elbow room, without saying a word to the class. He returned a few minutes later.

"nursing bottle your potions as is,"he said."It seems there is some sort of consternation going off all over the castle. After you 're done cleaning up you may give early."

Albus and Matt worked quickly, wanting to talk to John as soon as they could. They met him, along with Rose and Amanda, outside the classroom a few bit later, and headed to the Great Hall. King John still had n't said anything.

Kaden was already there when they arrived."Trelawney let us out as soon as the alert started. I think it was driving her mad. I mean, More mad than she already is."

"Are you going to tell us what you 've done ?"Albus asked as he began making a sandwich.

"Yeah, we might as well,"John said."We put an alert clock inside every single wooing of armor and charmed them to go off at five minute intervals."

Albus started laughing."That 's glorious !"

"That 's actually really goodness charm study,"pink wine said, clearly impressed.

"It gets better,"Kaden said."The teacher wo n't be able to turn them off with one spell. We charmed them so they have to be manually turned off. It 's going to rent them ages."

"I feel bad for whoever 's got transfiguration succeeding,"St. James said as he sat down side by side to Albus."There must be twenty suits of armor across the corridor from the transfiguration room. It 's so tawdry in there you can barely find out yourself think."

"darn,"Albus said."We 've got Transfiguration next."

"feel, Kendrick 's standing up. Bet he cancels classes."John pointed to the faculty table.

"serenity !"Kendrick shouted."Very amusing harlequinade. It would seem that the alarm clocks have to be manually turned off, so I am canceling class for the afternoon while the faculty and prefects turn off all the alarms."

There was a tatty cheer as Kendrick resumed his keister. The staff table was only half-full, as the rest of them must have been already turning the alarms off.

"He does n't seem disorder,"Albus said."This is actually kind of tame. I thought you were going to get revenge on the Slytherins."

John grinned."Oh, we are. That 'll issue forth another day."

After lunch Albus and his friends went to the Marauder 's Den with the intention of spending the day there, but the never-ending alarms quickly grew too annoying. Despite the cold, they decided that outside would be preferable to inside. The snow had melted, so they were able to find a dry post to sit.

"I still hear the sonorousness,"Matt said as they settled down under a Brobdingnagian beech tree by the lake."It 's like my principal is an alarm clock clock. I think if you had done this around the full phase of the moon moon I would 've murdered you."

"That 's why we did n't do it around the full Sun Myung Moon,"lavatory said.

"Really ?"Matt asked skeptically.

St. John the Apostle laughed."No. Had n't even thought of that, to be honest."

"We did it today because I had a History of deception exam this good afternoon,"Kaden said."I 'm hoping Binns will forget about it."

"It 's soon, though, is n't it ?"John asked.

"The full moonshine ? Yeah, it 's Monday,"Matt answered."I 've been thinking about it. About grayback. He 's probably going to come back unless the Aurors catch him before."

"Probably,"Albus agreed.

"I had an idea,"Matt said quietly."I think we can help catch them, using my wolfy side."

"As bait ?"Albus asked, shocked."Then you 'd be in danger."

"No, I would n't,"matt said."I would n't be doing anything unlike. I 'd just be in the Shrieking shanty like usual. Albus, the predator 's Map labels Animagi as their homo names, right ?"

Albus nodded."Yeah, of course. That 's how chemise 's dad found out about Pettigrew."

"Well, should n't it be the same for werewolves ?"Matt asked.

Albus had n't thought about that before. In all his metre of having the second version Marauder 's Map, he 'd never hold in the screech Shack during a full synodic month."I think it should."

"Then all the Aurors have to do is take in the new edition of the Marauder 's Map during the full moon, wait for Greyback to register up, and then overhear him."

Albus thought for a few consequence. It seemed so mere, almost too simple to work."matte ... that 's brilliant."

"When did you think of this ?"Rose asked.

"Few hebdomad ago,"Matt answered."Greyback was there by the shriek hovel for nearly the entire Night. It would 've been soft to bewitch him if someone just knew he was there."

"hold,"Rose said, looking at Albus."You are n't proposing that you do this, are you ? Because that would be stupid."

"Of track not,"Matt said."It would be my dad and Albus 's dad."

"I do n't cerebrate my dad 's in charge of the Greyback capture,"Albus pointed out."It 's that other Auror, Newman."

"If I 'm going to go along with this and tell them my architectural plan then it 's got to be your dad,"Matt said adamantly."He already knows I 'm a werewolf. Newman does n't. I do n't acknowledge what he 'd do if he knew there was a werewolf at Hogwarts."

Albus thought back to what Matt had told them about how it was n't clear whether admitting werewolves to Hogwarts was legal or not."All right. That make sense."

"But why are you so sure he 's going to come back to this Same place ?"Amanda asked."If he were smart he 'd transform someplace completely different."

"He 's got a hangup about werewolves pretending to be human,"Matt said quietly."He thinks that we 've all got to encompass our wolf-selves and live together in packs. I do n't think he 's going to generate up easily on finding me. He did the same thing with Teddy 's dad."

"Then he might be transforming near those minor he attacked shoemaker's last calendar month,"blush wine pointed out."They should station Aurors there, too."

lusterlessness nodded."Let 's go send some owls."
***


Albus and Matt did n't say much in their letter to their Church Father, wanting to save most of the particular for later. Both of them replied saying they would forgather the boys at Hogwarts Fri eve in orderliness to process out the details.

The calendar week went by very slowly and Albus noticed that lusterlessness drew quieter and quieter as it progressed. He never said it out trashy, but Albus had a flavour he was incredibly queasy about the plan and his theatrical role in it, despite his saying he would be okay. By the sentence Friday arrived he was completely soundless, except for the few times he snapped at King John and Kaden for being irritating.

"You know if this plan actually works and Greyback is captured it 's going to earn Uncle Harry expect very safe,"Rose said."Which will be adept for Uncle Percy."

"I thought of that,"Albus said."And since the election is only three calendar week away, it 's arrant timing."

"When are you meeting your dads ?"John Lackland asked.

"septet,"Albus answered as he glanced at his picket."We should probably go."

Albus shoved the in conclusion bit of his cake into his mouth and left the Great Hall with lusterlessness at his English. prof Longbottom had leant them his study for the meeting, so Albus and mat walked up to the fourth floor.

Professor Longbottom was n't there when they arrived but the door was partially open. Albus led Matt inside and they sat down on a couch to look. Albus had always loved Longbottom 's study. It was filled with all sorts of exotic flora that you never wanted to touch because some of them bit. The article of furniture was mismatched and the all place was pleasantly cluttered. It felt very safe.

Harry and Walter walked in a few arcminute later and close the door behind them. Both looked very intrigued and slightly confused.

"Al,"Harry said as he gave his son a fast hug."What 's going on ?"

Albus glanced at mat, who had just been let go of by his own don. This was his plan to explain.

"I know how you can catch Greyback,"lusterlessness said quietly, and then proceeded to explain the entire plan."See ? commodity design, right ?"

Harry and Walter exchanged glances. Walter looked incredibly worried."matte, flavour, I know you want to help and I know the fact that Greyback 's out there scares you out of your mind-"

"I 'm not that scared,"Matt interrupted, but everyone in the room knew he was."Look, he 's going to number to Hogsmeade anyway. You might as well be there waiting for him."

Walter sighed."Yes, I suppose you 're right-"

"So what 's the problem ? I 'll be in the Shrieking hut with all the ward up."

"There really is n't a trouble,"Walter said."It just sounds bad on the surface, me using my son as bait. What do you recall, Harry ?"

"I think it 's up to you,"Harry said."You 're in charge of this search. I 'm not even on it. I assigned it to Newman."

"Paul Newman ca n't be there,"Matt said quickly as he turned to his dad."He ca n't be. He does n't get laid about me."

"He 's right,"Walter said."It 's got to be you and me if it 's going to be anyone. Whoever works this is going to find out there 's a werewolf at Hogwarts."

Harry sighed and began to step the room."I had n't thought of that. But there 's got to be more of us. I 'll bring Ron in, and Teddy."

"Ron ?"matt asked.

"Rose 's dad,"Albus explained."My uncle."

Matt breathed a sigh of relief."Oh, all right then."

"They 'd be fine,"Walter said."Four of us should be able to cover it. What about those minor in Little Shingleton ?"

"I 'll arrogate Paul Leonard Newman to them,"Harry decided."And you can pick a few masses form your section to go with him."

Walter nodded."What about the villagers ? We ca n't hang around the Shrieking hovel all night. It 'll search suspicious."

Albus suddenly remembered the map. He pulled it out of his pocket and handed it to his dad."Use the map. Then you can learn until he gets there."

Harry grinned."I 'd block about this."He turned to Walter."Map of Hogwarts and Hogsmeade, created by my dad, Sirius Joseph Black, Remus lupin, and cock Pettigrew. It shows where everyone is, so it should show us when Greyback turns up. We can wait at the Hog 's mind until then. No one there will pay us any attention."

"And in the report card ? In the theme the next day ?"Bruno Walter asked.

"No mention of lustrelessness or his being in the shriek Shack,"Harry said."We 'll say we got an anon. tip that he 'd render up in Hogsmeade."

"Can I wait with you ?"Albus asked.

Harry laughed."Absolutely not. You 'll stay in the castle, where it 's rubber. I believe they 're doing a mandatory ahead of time curfew again ?"

Albus nodded. They 'd put up posters in the common rooms a few days ago. This clock time, no one seemed upset about it.

"I wish they 'd do it in Hogsmeade,"Walter said."But getting something like that set up takes weeks."

"well, if multitude are smart they 'll stay inside with wards up,"Harry pointed out.
***


Never before had Albus heard so many multitude talking about the wide-cut moonshine. All weekend, everywhere he turned, he heard someone mentioning either the full Sun Myung Moon or greyback or both. Suddenly, werewolves were the hot subject of word at Hogwarts.

Most masses, from what Albus could gather, did n't own a strong opinion on werewolves one way or another. But a few multitude, most having had a relative murdered by Fenrir grayback, told anyone who would listen how happy they were that neither candidate wanted to change the categorization of werewolves from Beasts to Beings. It only took Matt overhearing one of these conversations to decide to drop the rest of the weekend in the Marauder 's Den.

"It 'll all be over in three workweek,"Amanda said."Once the election takes place no one is going to care as lots. But these preceding few workweek have certainly made me wonder if I should go into the Department for the regularisation and Control of Magical Creatures."

It was Sunday night and Albus and his friends were in the Marauder 's Den, yet again, working on their homework that was due tomorrow.

"You could work with my dad,"flatness announced from the couch."That 'd be weird."

"Well, it 's just severe,"Amanda said."And it does n't make sense. Why should goblins and house-elves be being but not werewolf ? You 're more man than a house-elf."

Matt laughed."Tomorrow nighttime I wo n't be, and that 's what it comes down to. House-elves are n't that dangerous. Werewolves are."

"I do n't recognize,"Albus began."When my dad was a second base class a house-elf charmed a Bludger to part his arm. That 's fairly dangerous."

"What about vampires ?"rose wine asked."I ought to owl Linda."

"vampire are existence,"Matt explained."It 's because they do n't have to drink human rip to survive. It 's a choice. Werewolves, when we bite somebody, it 's not a pick. We ca n't control it."

"Except with Wolfsbane,"Rose pointed out.

"Yeah, and maybe if individual invents Wolfsbane that works for all werewolves we might get reclassified,"Matt said.

"What about vampires who bite mass ?"Amanda asked.

"They 're put in prison,"matt said.

"So can vampire go to school and concord line ?"Kaden asked.

"I suppose they could. Linda went to school. But they live forever so most do n't want to go to school or already have, because near vampires are older. As for task, they do n't have to recount employers what they are, so yeah, they could."

"It 's so bloody confusing,"Saint John the Apostle said."Does n't puddle a bit of sense."

"It really does n't,"Matt said with a yawn."But it 's life."

mat slept the repose of the evening and most of the next day, not attending any of his category. Albus could n't blame him, what with all the wolfman talking that was going around the school. Albus himself found it difficult to boil down on any of his classes or homework since there was the distinct possibility that Fenrir Rebel would be captured that Nox.

Albus and his booster reported to the common room at five, as per the curfew, and then went to dinner. mat did n't connect them. He was gone when they returned. Albus gave up on homework for the dark and played a few halfhearted rounds of Exploding Snap with John the Divine and Kaden before deciding to go up to his dormitory early. He knew he would n't sleep, but figured it would be slightly more rich than cleaning ash off his face.

Instead of sleeping, Albus sat in the windowsill and watched the sky. It was brighten, giving him a very honorable persuasion of the stars. After locating a few constellations Albus watched the apparent horizon and the deliquium glow that was above it. Then, the Sun Myung Moon rose.


A/N : So, some of you may have noticed that I screwed up end week 's update. I accidentally skipped chapter 25 ( Full synodic month attempt ) and went right to chapter 26 ( hard liquor, existence, and Beasts ). If you have n't already done so, go back and understand the real chapter 25. The story will construct much more horse sense after that.

I am proud of to announce that I have finished this tale ! It topped out at 37 chapters. I may pop updating this twice a hebdomad, but have n't quite decided yet. A lot of you are asking in revue when the side by side update will be, so I 'll ingeminate that I update every Friday. The demand clock time will vary. Thanks for all the recap !